SPRINGDALE, Ark. — For the first time in seven years the Shiloh Christian Saints Girls Volleyball team are State Champions, but this time it's in 5A.
"Unlike any other feeling, just as a coach, because we know how special it is to even get there, and how hard it is to get there," Head Coach Nathan Bodenstein said.
"They knew the feeling of getting to the finals, but they had just never experienced the win. So this one was extra special for me, just to get to see them finally feel that that last step accomplished," Bodenstein said.
"Our motto is the third time's the charm of getting to the championship and that image made it super sweet," tournament MVP and Ole Miss commit Bella Bonanno said.
So, in a new division, all the pieces finally came together.
"Definitely going into 5A is just a lot more competitive all year. And this team, I think we just have so much trust for each other, like all six of us and the people on the bench are all best friends. So I think that just really played into us having such a successful year," Bonanno said.
"I think we always did better when there was tougher competition, and moving up to 5A, that was most teams we played. There was never a moment that we could relax, no matter what the point spread was. It was always just play super hard till you finish," Laila Creighton, a member of the All-State tournament team added.
After hundreds of games together, this one was bittersweet for seniors who have been playing together for over 7 years, knowing Saturday was their last.
"To have that being our last time playing volleyball ever with one another and going out with a ring was awesome," Creighton said.
"In the locker room, like we were so happy that we won, but at the same time, like it was a little bittersweet, or really bittersweet, honestly, to know that was our last game together," added Audrey Pender, the third Saint on the All-State tournament team.
But it was that bond that made this win for these girls so special.
"It felt better to watch my teammates win than the feeling I felt when I won, because I was so happy for them, like knowing that, like Bella Layla Paige and Reese, like those girls I've played with for seven years have finally, like, achieved something that's brought them so much joy, like made the moment 10 times better." Pender added.
This is the Saints' third ever state title, having won the 4A championship in 2015 and 2017.
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