LEAD

MEQUON, Wis. -- With an emphatic straight-set win over Olivet College, the Sabercats have just the start they want at the Concordia-Wisconsin Tournament.

Phillip Holbrook continued his stellar play with a team-high 13 kills, and the Sabercats boasted a well-oiled win on the shore of Lake Michigan.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 3-0 Olivet (25-21, 25-19, 25-16)
• Venue: R. John Buuck Field House, Concordia-Wisconsin
• Location: Mequon, Wis.
• Attendance: 49
• Records: MBU (2-6), OC (0-3)

STORY

The first set stayed close throughout, and the Sabercats did well to hold off Olivet en route to a wire-to-wire win. The Sabercats had a variety of contributors to the attack, but none stood out as much as Holbrook, who recorded seven kills in the first set alone to seal a solid opening-set win.

The Sabercats were precise in the second frame. Taylor Dafoe's sharp setting helped the Sabercats attack at a match-high 43 percent, and the Sabercats had just one hitting error in the entire second frame. Isaac McKee and Joel Depue stepped up to help out Holbrook, and the Sabercats looked to be in full control at the net entering the third set.

After a fast start, the Sabercats would leave no doubt in the third set. It would eventually be the most lopsided of all three sets, as the Sabercats were thorough in their performance. It was all the usual protagonists leading the way for Maranatha, and James Rossiter joined in with a couple of blocks and a few kills of his own. The final point came from the hands of Jordan Hoffmann, who contributed an ace to close out the straight-set win.

This one was all about MBU, whose straight-set win will hopefully be a sign of good things to come in anticipation of their two-match Saturday.

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MBU Starters: 3- Massey, 4- McKee, 5- Dafoe, 6- Rossiter, 8- Depue, 12-Holbrook, 13- Wagner (L), 15- Smith

STATS

• Holbrook: 13 K, 3 B
• McKee: 7 K, 2 B
• Depue: 6 K, 13 D
• Dafoe: 4 K, 25 A, 9 D
• MBU: 11 different student-athletes contributed to the win
• Series: The series is now tied 1-1

OPPONENTS

• Olivet competes in the NCAA DIII
• Olivet are members of the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League 
• Olivet has not yet played a conference match this season

NEXT

The Sabercats will return to the R. John Buuck Field House tomorrow for two more matches. Stay updated at mbusabercats.com/schedule.