Photo credit: Kaitlyn Dobson
Photo credit: Kaitlyn Dobson

Sabercats Falter to Strong Opposition at NCC Tri

THE OVERVIEW

  • Results: Maranatha 0-3 Adrian (13-25, 22-25, 23-25), Maranatha 0-3 North Central (8-25, 15-25, 8-25)
  • Venue: Gregory Arena, North Central College
  • Attendance: 40
  • Record: Sabercats are now 2-17
  • Next Match for MBU: Tuesday, Mar. 6 vs Lakeland

THE LEAD

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Adrian and North Central proved to be too much for the Sabercats to handle, as MBU fell to the two Midwestern powerhouses today at the NCC Tri.

Derek Wallis registered a career-high 20 kills in the Adrian match, but even Wallis' career day was not enough to help the Sabercats chalk a much-needed win.

THE STORY

Maranatha 0-3 Adrian

Maranatha had their better showing on the day against Adrian (MCVL), who proved to be an athletic and determined squad throughout the 3-set match. After a slow start of just 13 points in the first set, the Sabercats responded positively with 22 and 23 points through the final 2 sets, respectively.

The first set was tight in the early stages, as a Joel Depue kill set the score at 12-10 in favor of Adrian. It was then that the Bulldogs caught fire, as they strung together a 13-3 run to close out the set in emphatic form. 

Wallis led the way in the next 2 sets, as he helped the Sabercats reach a season-best 16 kills in the third set. Wallis found his zone and dealt 20 kills on the Bulldogs in the last 2 sets combined, but even the rampage from the hard-hitting junior could not overpower the quick Adrian squad. Despite the loss on the scoreboard, the Sabercats showed a competitive edge, as they were within 3 points of the Bulldogs through the final 2 frames.

Maranatha 0-3 North Central

The North Central match was a different story for Maranatha, as the polished Cardinals showed the strengths of their 5-1 rotation in the 3-set excursion. Under constant pressure from NCC, MBU managed to record just 31 points in the 3-set match.

North Central logged a tidy .446 attack percentage and kept the floor clean with 36 digs.

THE NUMBERS

Wallis' 20 kills in the Adrian match was his best mark since his 19 kills in the 5-set season-opener vs Concordia-Wisconsin.

Wallis notched 24 kills on the day and added 11 digs.

Matt Wetzel recorded 21 assists on the day.

Maranatha's 34 kills against Adrian was their third-highest mark this season.

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will return to their home floor for a 7 p.m. match against Lakeland University Tuesday. Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.