March 1, 2022 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

DE PERE, Wis. -- The Sabercats fought to the finish tonight but fell 1-3 to St. Norbert in the first match of a home-and-away series.

The Sabercats stay on the road the rest of the week but return to the home floor to take on SNC next. Tuesday, and after tonight's match, the rematch should be riveting.

OVERVIEW

• Final: Maranatha 1-3 St. Norbert (21-25, 14-25, 26-24, 22-25)
• Venue: Mulva Family Fitness and Sports Center, St. Norbert College
• Location: De Pere, Wis.
• Attendance: 106
• Records: Maranatha (3-14), St. Norbert (4-7) 

STORY 

Passing the serve receive was the biggest struggle for the Sabercats in the opening set, as the Green Knights aced the Sabercats six times straight to fuel a 10-0 run, which amounted to a 17-12 lead. A couple of late kills from Phillip Holbrook were the Sabercats' last efforts, but the Green Knights were too far ahead at that point, closing out the 21-25 win in the opener.

The second set was the most lopsided of the match, as St. Norbert posted a match-high 13 kills to take a 14-25 win and put one hand on the win.

But the Sabercats responded in a crucial set three, outlasting their hosts 26-24. Maranatha had to claw their way back from a 17-12 deficit, and thanks to two late solo blocks from Holbrook and Jared Fopma, the Sabercats had turned things around with a huge win at the key time.

Fittingly, the fourth set was a tight-knit battle as well, as neither team led by more than four points at any given time. Ultimately, St. Norbert's resolve was rewarded with a 25-22 win, but the Sabercats had forced the Green Knights to earn the night.

Next Tuesday, the Green Knights visit Maranatha for a rematch, and the Sabercats will be set on evening the odds.

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

STATS 

• Jacob Valeria: 11 K, 3 D, 4 B
• Holbrook: 9 K, 13 A, 5 D, 2 B
• Fopma: 7 K, 2 D, 7 B
• Peyton Warner: 2 K, 9 D
• Peter Holloway: 14 D
• Series: the series is now tied 1-1

OPPONENTS

• St. Norbert competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• St. Norbert did not compete in 2021
• The Green Knights have already matched their win total from their inaugural 2020 season

NEXT

The Sabercats stay on the road to face Wisconsin Lutheran on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.