February 20, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats fought all the way to the finish tonight, falling in a three-set thriller of a home opener to the Rockford University Regents.

Maranatha improved their points total against Rockford by eight from their opening-weekend loss to the Regents, forcing their guests to earn every point and set on the night. 

OVERVIEW

• Final: Maranatha 0-3 Rockford (16-25, 18-25, 21-25)
• Venue: Main Gymnasium - Maranatha Baptist University
• Event: Home Opener
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Records: MBU (0-20), RU (4-3)

STORY   

The energy from the home fans fueled the Sabercats' resolve in the opening set of the match, but Rockford wasn't so easily thrown off. The Regents stifled the Sabercats' attack, limiting Maranatha to just four kills while putting down nine. A couple of early aces from Danny Karpenko put the Regents in front and they never looked back, winning 25-16 despite pressure from Maranatha the whole time.

The second set was closely contested in the early goings, but an 8-2 Regent rampage decided the second frame. Five of those final eight points came from kills, as the Regents hitters got hot right when it mattered most. After a 25-18 win in the second, the Regents looked to be coasting to a win.

But an easy, early exit from the match wasn't exactly in the cards for Rockford. The mometnum was all in favor of Maranath ain the third set, ash tE sabercats swung their way to an 8-3 lead. A big solo block from Jacob Valeria bolstered the crowd and forced Rockford to call a timeout to negate the buildup of energy from the vocal home fans. It was all going right for Maranatha.

But just as quickly as Maranatha built the lead, Rockford came storming back with a 12-3 run of their own to take firm control of the set. All the Regents needed was a few swings to fall their way, and they rode a newfound wave of momentum. Maranatha threw the Regents off their rhyhtm late to make the set interesting, but the Regents held on right when it mattered most, winning 25-21 in the final frame.

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Maranatha Starters: 1- Smith, 2- Mueller, 4- Harris, 5- Bellrichard (Libero), 12- Says, 17- Valeria, 20- Scott

STATS 

• Box Score
• Last time: The Sabercats fell to Rockford 0-3 earlier this season (Jan. 14th)
• Series: Rockford now leads the all-time series 2-1

OPPONENTS

• Rockford competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA-DIII)
• Rockford finished the 2022 season with a 4-22 record

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to La Crosse, Wisconsin to face Viterbo on Thursday, February 23, at 6 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.