WATERTOWN, Wis. -- This weekend, there was simply no stopping the Sabercats.

With three straight sweeps, the Sabercats have conquered the Spikefest for the eighth time in their last nine attempts and have the 2020 season started with three straight wins.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 3-0 Trinity Bible (25-8, 25-20, 25-11)
  • Maranatha 3-0 Faith Baptist (25-13, 25-10, 25-14)
• Venue: Nettleton Center, Faith Baptist Bible College
• Location: Ankeny, Iowa
• Attendance: 59, 243
• Records: MBU (3-0), TBC (1-2), FBBC (2-1)

STORY

Trinity (NCCAA North) - The Sabercats laid down the law right away, rolling to a 25-8 win in the opening set. The team attacked at a clip of .571 with Mattie Bumpus (4 K), Claire Hansel (2 K, 2 SA), and Caitrin Kemlo (2K, 2SA) leading the charge. Bumpus and Hansel kept the heat on in the second set, and Emily Johnson's nine-assist display helped the Sabercats hold off a spirited charge from the Lions, 25-20.

The third set went the Sabercats' way, 25-11, and Bumpus extended her kill count to a career-high of 10. It was another straightforward win for the Blue and Gold, who quickly turned their attention to the hosts, Faith Baptist.

Faith (NCCAA North) - The Eagles posed the biggest threat on paper, but the Sabercats were quick to halt the headway of the hopeful hosts. The opening set fell 25-13 in the Sabercats' favor, as their defense made the difference in the first set and throughout the match. Erica Ureke, Megan Miller, and Bumpus all chipped in three digs each in the opener, and a balanced MBU attack gave them a 25-10 win to set up a decisive finish to the weekend.

That win came in the next frame, as the Sabercats held off their hosts to capture the win with authority. Hansel increased her kills to 10, Johnson racked up 30 digs (weekend best), Ureke had 14 digs, and the Sabercats had just the start they were looking for.

MBU Starters: 3- Johnson, 4- Hansel, 8-Bumpus, 11- Ureke, 22- Miller, 23-Anderson, 24- Rueb

STATS (two-match totals)

• Hansel: 19 K, 6 SA, 8 D
• Bumpus: 15 K (includes 10 K career-high vs Trinity)
• Johnson: 52 A, 9 SA, 13 D
• Ureke: 18 D
• MBU: attacked at 32.9% in both matches
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Trinity, 2-0
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Faith, 17-1

NEXT

The Sabercats take their home floor against Grace Christian (NCCAA Mideast) next Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.