LEAD

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The first set was a nail-biter, but Erskine pulled away after that to win 3-0 in the first match at NCCAA Nationals.

The Sabercats will now take on Ottawa University (Arizona) at 4:30 p.m. EST this afternoon to conclude pool play.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #5 Maranatha 0-3 #1 Erskine (23-25, 13-25, 14-25)
• Venue: Williams Gymnasium, Carolina University
• Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Event: NCCAA National Invitational
• Attendance: (Spectators prohibited)
• Records: #5 Maranatha (0-1), #1 Erskine (1-0)

STORY

Right away, the Sabercats showed that they didn't come all the way to North Carolina just to go home again. The Sabercats were fearless from the start, taking a 10-7 lead early to trigger a back-and-forth battle in the first set. Erskine fought back, and when the set came right down to the wire, Erskine did just enough to get by, taking the first set 25-23.

After the emotionally charged first set, the Fleet settled into their rhythm to keep the Sabercats relatively quiet. Kacper Rybarczyk and Jacob Whyte ran the show at the net, as the Fleet put up nine blocks in the second set to win 13-25.

The story of the final set wasn't much different than the second. Fleet had found their game, and they are poised to punch their ticket to the national championship. 

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

STATS 

• Jacob Valeria: Debuted with 5 K, 41.7 ATT%
• Phillip Holbrook: 3 K, 4 D, 2 SA
• Taylor Dafoe: 1 K, 10 A, 2 D
• Rybarczyk: 13 K for Erskine
• Series: This was the first-ever matchup in the series

OPPONENTS

• Erskine competes in the NCAA DII's Conference Carolinas
• Erskine played Ohio State (Big 10), Princeton (Ivy League), and George Mason (Atlantic 10) last season
• Erskine is competing at NCCAA Nationals for the first time

NEXT

The Sabercats take on #3 Ottawa at 4:30 p.m. EST this afternoon. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.