Stillwater captures 6th straight state title

BOZEMAN — Stillwater Christian School capped off another stellar volleyball season Saturday afternoon by defeating Great Falls Home School 25-19, 25-17, 25-14 in the championship match at the Montana Christian Athletic Association state tournament.

Stillwater finished the season 23-2 overall.

It was the sixth straight championship for the Cougars.

“The girls came out strong again today,” Stillwater coach Diane Smith said.

“They made a point of changing what they needed to cut down on their errors.”

Stillwater went 4-0 at state and won all those matches in three sets.

The most points Stillwater allowed in a set at state was 20 versus Yellowstone County Home School on Friday.

“Great back row defense from senior Sophie George and sophomore Adrianna Lambert,” Smith said. “That set both senior Sarah Paolini and junior Alisa Venman up with some nice attacks at the net.”

Paolini had 13 kills and Venman eight.

Paolini also led in blocks with three and shared the lead with Lambert in aces with three each. Stillwater had six total blocks and 13 aces.

Lambert and George had 13 digs each. Both were team highs. The Cougars finished with 62.

Dorothy Smith had 26 of the team’s 29 assists.

Paolini, an outside hitter, was named the MCAA tournament MVP. She made the first all-state team along with Smith, a sophomore setter.

Senior outside hitter Megha Tannehill was named to the all-state second team.