LEAD

CHICAGO --  The Sabercats were handed a straight-set loss tonight in the Windy City, coming just a few days after a triumphant weekend in Wisconsin.

Phillip Holbrook registered seven kills to lead MBU once again, but all in all, it was a quiet night for the Blue and Gold.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 0-3 IIT (19-25, 13-25, 21-25)
• Venue: Keating Sports Center, Illinois Institute of Technology
• Location: Chicago
• Attendance: 54
• Records: MBU (3-8), IIT (1-3)

STORY

An early IIT run in the first set was a harbinger of the noticeable home-court advantage for the Scarlet Hawks in the night ahead. After taking a 10-4 advantage, the Scarlet Hawks didn't look back, taking the first set 25-19.

From there, it was all about IIT. Jannik Birkholz put up three aces in quick succession in the middle of the second set, which sucked the life out of MBU and allowed IIT to advance to a 25-13 win.

The hosts looked in control the whole time and would eventually close out the match, but the Sabercats did put up some late resistance by recording 21 points in the final set. But the Sabercats' efforts were too little, too late, as IIT took home a routine straight-set win.

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

STATS

• Phillip Holbrook: 7 K, 2 B
• Rory Massey: 5 K, 5 D, 5 B
• Taylor Dafoe: 18 A, 11 D
• Steve Wagner: 10 D
• Series: IIT now leads the series 4-0

OPPONENTS

• IIT competes in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• IIT will begin NACC conference play in March
• IIT finished last season with a 6-19 record, which included six games against NCAA DIII Top-20 teams

NEXT

The Sabercats will have the rest of the week off and will travel to Viterbo University next Thursday. Stay updated at mbusabercats.com/schedule.