LEAD

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Sabercats came out swinging at Rockford today, and there was just no stopping them en route to a straight-set win.

James Rossiter and Isaac McKee had career-highs to lead an exceptional offense, and the Sabercats are back on the winning track.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 3-0 Rockford (25-16, 25-20, 25-23)
• Venue: Seaver Center, Rockford University
• Location: Rockford, Ill.
• Attendance: 81
• Records: MBU (8-14), RU (1-13)

STORY

The first set was won and lost in the attack, as the Sabercats overwhelmed the Regents with 17 kills in the opener. Rossiter and McKee wasted no time getting their kill count on the uptick, as they logged six and five kills, respectively, in the opening frame.

The Sabercats made the second set interesting, as they went from an 18-15 deficit to a 25-20 win. That 10-2 run to dash Rockford's hopes culminated with a set-ending ace from Jordan Hoffmann, and the Sabercats were on the brink of another sweep just like that.

It took a while for MBU to get going in the third set, as they trailed 10-4 to start things off. But they quickly turned things around thanks to three kills from Phillip Holbrook, and late kills from Holbrook, Rossiter, and McKee helped the Sabercats hold off a late charge from the Regents to win by two and take the match in three.

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

STATS 

• Rossiter: 15 K (career-high), 3 B
• McKee: 11 K (career-high)
• Holbrook: 10 K 
• Holbrook: Now has 10 matches with 10 kills or more
• Steve Wagner: led MBU with 14 digs
• Joel Depue: 6 K, 9 D
• Taylor Dafoe: 38 A
• Series: Maranatha now leads the series 1-0

OPPONENTS

• RU competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• RU opened NACC play yesterday with a sweep of St. Norbert
• RU is a first-year program

NEXT

The Sabercats will host Graceland on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.