ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Sabercats suffered back-to-back losses against North Central and Marian to start the Rockford Invitational.

Mattie Bumpus led the way with 12 kills on the day, while Emily Johnson tallied 25 assists and 16 digs on the day.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 0-3 North Central (18-25, 18-25, 18-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 Marian (19-25, 14-25, 14-25)
• Venue: Seaver Center, Rockford University
• Location: Rockford, Ill.
• Attendance: 20, 20
• Records: MBU (9-15), NCU (9-17), MU (13-14)

STORY 

North Central: The weekend tournament started on a lower note for the Sabercats as they were swept by North Central to start the tournament. North Central jumped out to an 18-5 lead in the first set, but thanks to some stellar defense and several kills from Jennifer Rueb, Maranatha battled back to a 23-18 score. North Central was able to finish off the set, however, taking the first set 25-18.

Sets two and three were closer throughout as the Sabercats fought to keep the score close the entire time. Eryn Bates, Melanie Woller, and Mattie Bumpus lead the way by recording multiple kills in the two sets, but the Rams pulled away late in each of the two sets, resulting in back-to-back-to-back 25-18 set losses and a straight-set loss for the Sabercats.

In the loss, Bumpus led the offense with nine kills, followed by Rueb and Bates with five each. Emily Johnson tallied 11 assists, while Megan Miller followed with 10 assists. Erica Ureke bolstered the defense with 15 digs.

Marian: The second match of the day started similarly to the North Central match as the Sabres of Marian jumped out to a 16-7 lead in the first set. Rueb and Woller helped the Sabercats rally late, but it wasn't enough to keep Marian from taking the first set 25-19.

The second and third sets were much tougher, however. Caitrin Kemlo and Woller provided some offense with several kills each, but Marian jumped out to fast leads and ran the score up in each set, resulting in back-to-back 25-14 losses to end the match. Marian's Reagan Brown delivered the killing blow that ended the second straight-set loss for Maranatha on the day.

In the loss, Kemlo and Woller each recorded 7 kills, followed up by 4 kills from both Rueb and Johnson. Johnson also tallied 14 assists and 10 digs, and Ureke converted 15 digs once again.

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MBU Starters (combined): 3- Johnson, 6- Bailey, 8- Bumpus, 9- Woller, 11- Ureke (L), 13- Bates, 14- Kemlo, 22- Miller, 24- Rueb

STATS 

• Bumpus: 12 K
• Woller: 10 K
• Ureke: 30 D
• Johnson: 25 A, 16 D
• Last time: Maranatha defeated North Central 3-0 in 2019
• Last time: Marian defeated Maranatha 3-1 in 2018
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against North Central 18-2
• Series: Marian leads the all-time series against Maranatha 35-33 (Tuesday)

OPPONENT

• North Central competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Marian competes in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Marian went on a seven-game winning streak in September

NEXT

The Sabercats continue in Rockford on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.