LEAD

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- After two days of incomplete performances, the Sabercats finally put it all together, sweeping #6 Carolina University for a fifth-place NCCAA Nationals finish.

Phillip Holbrook led Maranatha with 12 kills and nine digs as the Sabercats punctuated their Nationals appearance with their first win of the season.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #5 Maranatha 3-0 #6 Carolina (25-15, 25-22, 25-14)
• Venue: Williams Gymnasium, Carolina University
• Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Event: NCCAA National Invitational
• Attendance: (Spectators prohibited)
• Records: #5 Maranatha (1-2), #6 Carolina (0-3)

STORY

Carolina and Maranatha traded blows in the early runnings, and the Sabercats couldn't hit around the block of Ronald Smart. Carolina went ahead 15-14, but an unstoppable 11-0 Sabercats run negated the hosts' resolve and secured the 25-15 win in the opener. Holbrook finished it off with a short-side kill, marking his fourth kill in the opening frame. With that scoring spree, the Sabercats had momentum and their first set win of 2021.

The Bruins weren't deterred, concocting a 15-12 lead in the second set. But once again, when the Bruins reached 15 points, the Sabercats snapped into gear. Some determined defending and aggressive swings gave Maranatha a 23-17 lead, and after a short Bruins rally, the Sabercats closed out a 25-22 win. 

The final set was all about MBU. An early 9-1 run vaulted them into position, and late kills from Isaac McKee and Holbrook helped finish the job. Taylor Dafoe orchestrated the attack for the Blue and Gold, distributing 27 assists, and Jacob Valeria and McKee combined for 10 kills in the match. 

At the end of a busy weekend, the Sabercats had proven their ability to compete with the best schools in the NCCAA, and their fifth-place finish could be a sign of better things to come in the 2021 season.

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

STATS 

• Holbrook: 12 K, 9 D
• McKee: 5 K, 2 D, 3 BA
• Valeria: 5 K, 2 BA
• Joel Smith: 2 K, 2 SA, 5 D
• Dafoe: 1 K, 27 A, 6 D
• Steve Wagner: 9 D
• MBU: 30 K
• Series: This was the first-ever matchup in the series

OPPONENTS

• Carolina competes in the NCCAA this year as a first-year program
• Carolina took losses to #4 Lancaster Bible and #2 Campbellsville yesterday
• Carolina University changed its name from Piedmont International in June of 2020

NEXT

The Sabercats' next match is scheduled for February 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Judson University. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.