February 21, 2022 | by Nate Croswell

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats earned their first home win of the season in a 3-0 sweep over Wisconsin Lutheran.

Jared Fopma led the charge with 11 kills and a block, followed up by Phillip Holbrook with 10 kills and 7 digs.

OVERVIEW

• Final: Maranatha 3-0 Wisconsin Lutheran (25-19, 25-19, 25-14)
• Venue: Main Gymnasium, Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 65
• Records: Maranatha (3-13), Wisconsin Lutheran (0-11) 

STORY

Right at the start, the Warriors jumped out to an early 5-1 lead by forcing the Sabercats' offense to make errors on tough plays. That's when Jared Fopma stepped up and dropped back-to-back kills, swinging momentum to Maranatha. The Sabercats would go on an 11-5 runt to take the lead and never surrender it, winning the first set by a score of 25-19. Fopma continued to dominate the set as he recorded five kills, while Phillip Holbrook delivered four earth-shattering kills to back him up.

The second set was a bit more competitive throughout, but Maranatha took the lead early on and held it, again on the back of Fopma with four kills. Jacob Valeria also helped the Sabercats hold the Warriors at bay with four kills of his own in the set.

By set three, Wisconsin Lutheran was deflated, and the Sabercats kept their foot on the gas. They went on a 9-3 run to force the Warriors to take their final timeout, followed by another 8-4 Sabercat run to wrap up the match. Grant Kirchner delivered the final blow with a back-row hit that landed just barely inside the red line, delivering the Sabercats their first win on the home floor this season.

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Maranatha Starters: 2- Mueller, 6- Rossiter, 8- Hoffman, 10- Warner, 11- Fopma, 12- Holbrook, 13- Holloway (L)

STATS 

• Jared Fopma: 11 K, 1 B
• Phillip Holbrook: 10 K, 7 D
• Peyton Warner: 5 K, 11 D
• Jacob Velaria: 8 K, 1 B
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series against Wisconsin Lutheran 1-0

OPPONENTS

• Wisconsin Lutheran competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Wisconsin Lutheran is in the midst of just their second season in program history

NEXT

The Sabercats will continue the homestand by hosting Concordia-Wisconsin tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.