WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats returned to their winning ways today, breezing past Great Lakes in a couple of home sweeps.

Emily Johnson reached the 300-assist mark in just her 11th career match as the Sabercats remained undefeated in NCCAA competition for 2020.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 3-0 Great Lakes Christian (25-7, 25-15, 25-12)
  • Maranatha 3-0 Great Lakes Christian (25-12, 25-15, 25-10)
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 150
• Records: MBU (10-1), GLCC (0-7)

STORY

Johnson got on the serve and everything was coming up aces for the Sabercats, who logged 17 aces in the opening set alone en route to 34 in the match - good enough for second all-time in program history. Johnson strung together seven aces without going off the serve in the opening set, and she would end up with 14 total in the match - tying the second-best individual mark in program history.

The Sabercats made quick work of the Crusaders in the opening set, restricting the visitors to fewer than 35 points en route to the straight-set win.

Mattie Bumpus came to play in the second match of the day, registering a career-high 14 kills to follow up her eight-kill performance in the opener. Bumpus led the Sabercats out to a commanding 13-point win in the opener, and she was backed up with seven kills from Caitrin Kemlo. Johnson was making things easy for the Maranatha hitters, as the freshman dished out 30 assists in the match to pass the 300-assist mark.

Liberty Bailey found the holes in the Crusader lineup to notch five assists in the second match, and the Sabercats had the rest of their Saturday evening to enjoy the satisfaction of two home sweeps.

MBU Starters (combined games): 3- Johnson, 6- Bailey, 8- Bumpus, 11- Ureke (L), 14- Kemlo, 22- Miller, 23- Anderson, 24- Rueb

STATS (combined)

• Bumpus: 22 kills, 4 aces
• Johnson: Passes 300 career assists with 48 assists on the day
• Johnson: 14 aces in the opening match - second-highest mark for an individual in program history
• Kemlo: 12 kills, 
• MBU: 34 aces in the first match - second-best in program history
• Last time: Maranatha swept Great Lakes in Lansing, Michigan on September 19
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Great Lakes, 10-0

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Ellendale, North Dakota next Saturday to square off against NCCAA North Region opponents Trinity Bible College and Oak Hills Christian College. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.