THE OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 0-3 Campbellsville (18-25, 20-25, 20-25), Maranatha 0-3 Trinity (17-25, 18-25, 14-25)
• Venue: Devos Gymnasium, Trinity Christian College
• Attendance: 26, 121
• Record: Sabercats are now 2-7
• Next Match for MBU: Friday, Feb. 9 at Loras

THE LEAD

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. -- Against two strong and experienced programs, the Sabercats stayed competitive but dropped 2 matches in straight sets at the Trinity Triangular.

Maranatha posted 17 points or better in every set, but couldn't find a lasting solution to their two opponents. Derek Wallis continues to lead the charge at the net, as he posted 20 kills on the day.

THE STORY

MBU went ahead early on courtesy of a couple of kills from Wallis. The Sabercats would hold the lead until the scoreboard read 10-9 - the last lead of the set for MBU. Fueled by Rafael Cruz's powerful play at the net, the Tigers stormed out to the lead and wrapped up the set to the tune of 25-18. Wallis and Taylor Dafoe both recorded 3 kills in the first set for MBU.

The second set was a carbon copy of the first. This time, a 10-2 run in the middle of the set sparked the win for the Tigers. Cruz was once again at the center of everything.

The Sabercats put together a mid-set run in the third frame to show their characteristic resolve. Five different players registered kills as the Blue and Gold posted another 20 points, but Cruz and the Tigers refused to go away. CU took the final set 25-20 to win the match 3-0. 

Campbellsville earned their keep in the first match of the Triangular. The Tigers created over half of their points, and Cruz proved to be the Sabercats' primary antagonist, as he registered 19 kills and a .447 hitting percentage. 

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Maranatha wasn't quite as sharp at the net in their second game. Twenty hitting errors throughout their match against Trinity proved to be a difference-maker, but the Trolls showed their quality. Eight blocks as a team coupled with 37 kills made the Trolls a difficult pill to swallow, as MBU couldn't find the answers to their well-balanced hosts.

Wallis added 9 more kills in the second match for MBU. 

THE NUMBERS 

With the 20 kills, Wallis is now just 9 kills shy of 100.

Matt Wetzel recorded 25 assists on the day.

Andrew Carpenter recorded 6 blocks on the day, including 3 solo blocks.

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will travel to Loras College next Friday for a 7 p.m. match. Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.