March 3, 2022 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

MILWAUKEE -- The Sabercats had their determination rewarded with their fourth win of the season tonight, as they took down Wisconsin Lutheran 3-0 in a high-intensity Milwaukee matchup.

Phillip Holbrook led Maranatha with eight kills and 11 assists while Jared Fopma and Jacob Valeria pitched in seven kills each.

OVERVIEW

• Final: Maranatha 3-0 Wisconsin Lutheran (25-15, 28-26, 25-21)
• Venue: Recreation Complex, Wisconsin Lutheran College
• Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
• Attendance: -
• Records: Maranatha (4-13), Wisconsin Lutheran (0-11) 

STORY 

If the way the Sabercats played on Tuesday night at St. Norbert was good, tonight was even better. Maranatha's eagerness and intensity were apparent in the opening set, forcing the Warriors off their offensive rhythm early. When Jared Fopma and Grant Kirchner ended it with a couple of kills, the Sabercats had flown out to a 1-0 lead to the tune of 25-15.

But the Warriors bounced back and matched the Sabercats' intensity, sharpening up their attack and forcing the Sabercats to shore up the holes in their defense. The Warriors seemed to be heading for a set win but late kills from Jacob Valeria and James Rossiter helped the Sabercats force a tie. It was all about firepower late on, as two kills from Phillip Holbrook and a death blow from Fopma gave the Sabercats a gritty 28-26 win.

The Sabercats were locked in, competitive, and on the brink of a straight-set win.

The Warriors made it clear that they weren't going away, as they swung their way out to a 13-8 lead in the third frame. But that seemed to awaken the beast, as the Sabercats countered with an 11-3 run, swinging back to a 21-16 lead to force Wisconsin Lutheran to call a timeout. From there, it was just a matter of time, as the Sabercats' determination had crushed the last efforts from Wisconsin Lutheran. Holbrook and Valeria put down late kills, and the Sabercats rolled out of Milwaukee with a 3-0 win.

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

STATS 

• Box Score
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Wisconsin Lutheran 2-0

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 continue on the road on Saturday against Calumet-St. Joseph at 2:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.