Ottawa on Top

LEAD

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Sabercats had their hands full against Ottawa University, falling 3-0 to the former NCCAA champions to conclude pool play.

(EDIT) The Sabercats will take on #6 Carolina University in the fifth-place game tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #5 Maranatha 0-3 #3 Ottawa (10-25, 23-25, 11-25)
• Venue: Williams Gymnasium, Carolina University
• Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Event: NCCAA National Invitational
• Attendance: (Spectators prohibited)
• Records: #5 Maranatha (0-2), #3 Ottawa (1-0)

STORY

It started with a spar for points, as Ottawa held an 8-5 lead in the early goings. But then they caught fire, stringing together a 12-1 run. That run put the Sabercats on their heels and off their game, as Ottawa ran away with a 25-10 win.

Ottawa couldn't miss in the second set. They put down 16 kills offset by just five errors, but the Sabercats weren't intimidated. Even though Ottawa was swinging with precision, the Sabercats stayed tight. Phillip Holbrook tried to jumpstart something with three kills and two aces in the second set, lifting Maranatha ahead 20-19, but three late kills from Blake Music gave Ottawa a dramatic 25-23 win. Two-zero Ottawa.

Ottawa's block proved difficult to hit around, as the Spirit stuffed the Sabercats four times in the set. The Arizonans were powerful at the net in the third, adding 12 kills to their four blocks to pick up a grand total of 45 points at the net by the end of the afternoon. The Spirit showcased their deep 15-man roster, proving too difficult for the Sabercats to get by.

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Maranatha Starters: 4- McKee, 5- Dafoe, 6- Rossiter, 8- Hoffmann, 12- Holbrook, 13- Wagner (L), 17- Valeria

STATS 

• Holbrook: 4 K, 2 D, 2 SA
• James Rossiter: 5 K
• Taylor Dafoe: 1 K, 10 A, 5 D
• Ottawa: 44.4 ATT% 
• Series: This was the first-ever matchup in the series

OPPONENTS

• Ottawa competes in the NAIA's Golden State Athletic Conference
• Ottawa won the NCCAA National Invitational in 2019 and finished runners-up in 2020 
• Ottawa finished last season with a 13-5 record

NEXT

The Sabercats take on #6 Carolina University in the fifth-place game tomorrow at 2 p.m. EST. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.