January 27, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. -- The Sabercats put themselves to the test today against two of the top three teams in the NCCAA, falling in straight sets to Lancaster and Judson at the NCCAA National Invitational.

With the losses, the Sabercats will move to the consolation bracket to face #6 Carolina University and Judson tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Central and 4:00 p.m. Central.

OVERVIEW

• Final:
  • No. 7 Maranatha 0-3 #3 Lancaster (10-25, 12-25, 7-25)
  • No. 7 Maranatha 0-3 #1 Judson (8-25, 11-25, 17-25)
• Venue: DeVos Gymnasium, Trinity Christian College
• Location: Palos Heights, Ill.
• Event: NCCAA National Invitational
• Records: MBU (0-4), LBC (3-2), JU (1-1)

STORY  

Against #3 Lancaster, the Sabercats struggled to pass the serve receive in the first set, letting Lancaster go on a 12-1 streak to ultimately take a 25-10 win. Daniel Says and Jacob Valeria provided two kills apiece for the Sabercats, who couldn't generate consistent swings throughout the opening match.

The second set was a similar scoreline to the first but a different story. The Sabercats kept the Chargers within striking distance but the Charger's hitters caught fire late in the set. Seven Lancaster kills fueled an 11-2 run to close the set out 25-12. The third set was the most lopsided of the day and the Sabercats were feeling the loss of momentum. Lancaster strung together an unstoppable 16-2 run to end the set that included nine kills and four aces.

Valeria led Maranatha with four kills in the opener. Says and Titus Huston both contributed two kills apiece, and Zach Mueller handed out eight assists. Jordan Hoffmann (six digs) and Says (five) led the defensive efforts for Maranatha in the opening match.

The second match of the day against 1 Judson was a story of improvement, as the Sabercats scored progressively more and more points in a three-set loss. Judson's attack was pinpoint and powerful in the opening two sets, as the top-seeded Eagles swung at a 50-percent clip while averaging 13 kills per set. The Eagles held Maranatha to just 19 points in the first two sets combined, and it was looking like a quick three-and-done for the accurate Eagles. 

As it turned out, it was three. But it wasn't quick. Maranatha posted a day-best 17 points in the final frame and limited the Eagles to a .278 attack percentage. Valeria and Says combined for six kills in that final set, and the Sabercats finished the day with their best performance.

Daniel Says, Titus Huston, and Josiah Scott all made their collegiate debuts in the losses.

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Maranatha Starters: 1- Smith, 2- Mueller, 7- Lacock, 8-Hoffmann (Libero), 12- Says, 13- Huston, 17- Valeria

STATS 

• Box Score (Lancaster)
• Box Score (Judson)
• Last time: Lancaster defeated Maranatha 3-0 in their only meeting to date March 24, 2018
• Series: Lancaster now leads the series 2-0 against Maranatha
• Last time: Judson defeated Maranatha 3-0 on February 12, 2022
• Series: Judson now leads the all-time series 5-0 against Maranatha

OPPONENTS

• Lancaster competes alongside Maranatha in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCAA DIII)
• Lancaster finished the 2022 season with a 16-11 record
• Judson competes alongside Maranatha in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)
• Judson also competes in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
• Judson finished the 2022 season with a 25-5 record
• Judson fell 0-3 to Saint Xavier in last year's CCAC Tournament Championship

NEXT

The Sabercats remain in Palos Heights for day two of the National Invitational, taking on #6 Carolina (10 a.m. CST) and #1 Judson (4 p.m. CST) in the consolation bracket tomorrow. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.