March 8, 2022 | by Nate Croswell

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats fell 3-0 to St. Norbert tonight but enjoyed honoring the nine seniors who played their final home match.

Phillip Holbrook led the offense with 7 kills, while Peyton Warner and Peter Holloway backed the defense with 8 digs apiece.

OVERVIEW

• Final: Maranatha 0-3 St. Norbert (16-25, 20-25, 22-25)
• Venue: Main Gymnasium, Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 120
• Records: Maranatha (4-18), St. Norbert (5-9) 

STORY 

Out of the gate, the Green Knights were able to take a 4-1 lead over the Sabercats, a deficit Maranatha just could not overcome throughout the set. They forced some attack errors out of St. Norbert's offense to stay in the set, but the opponents were able to stretch their small lead a bit to take the first set 25-16.

Maranatha come out of the break to stick with St. Norbert through the first 10 points, led by kills from seniors James Rossiter and Jared Fopma. Then, St. Norbert went on a 9-2 run to take the lead back. Phillip Holbrook provided a small offensive boost late, but the Green Knights walked away with a second set win 25-20.

Wanting desperately to win one for their seniors on Senior Night, Maranatha jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the third set, St. Norbert chipped away slowly to shorten that lead, but they held the lead for most of the set. Late in the set, St. Norbert tied up the score and ended up taking the lead. With the fans getting loud and the pressure on, Maranatha fought hard and forced the Green Knights to make a couple more errors, but ultimately lost the third and final set 25-22.

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Maranatha Starters: 6- Rossiter, 8- Hoffman, 10- Warner, 11- Fopma, 12- Holbrook, 13- Holloway (L), 17- Valeria

STATS 

• Holbrook: 7 K, 5 A
• Rossiter: 6 K
• Mueller: 8 A, 3 D
• Warner, Holloway: 8 D
• Last time: St. Norbert defeated Maranatha 3-1 on March 1
• Series: St. Norbert now leads the all-time series 2-1

OPPONENTS

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

NEXT

The Sabercats will finish the season with a doubleheader against Graceland and Mt. Mercy on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.