ANKENY, Iowa -- With sweeps of Trinity Bible and Faith Baptist, the Sabercats have conquered their seventh straight NCCAA regional championship.

The win secures a perfect record against NCCAA North Region opponents, a perfect overall NCCAA record, and what will most likely be a #1 seeding at the 2020 NCCAA DII National Tournament.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • #1 Maranatha 3-0 #4 Trinity Bible (25-10, 25-8, 25-19)
  • #1 Maranatha 3-0 #2 Faith Baptist (25-17, 25-10, 25-21)
• Venue: Nettleton Center, Faith Baptist Bible College
• Location: Ankeny, Iowa
• Attendance: 64, 123
• Records: MBU (18-3), TBC (3-9), FBBC (12-9)

STORY

Sweeping North Region teams has been the only thing that Sabercats have done in North Region play this season. And with a hot start against Trinity Bible, it was clear that the regular season was no fluke. The Sabercats were on their way to two impressive North Region wins.

The day turned out to be a celebration of the Sabercats' dominance at the regional level, and as the Sabercats hit the ground running, all the usual protagonists were involved. 

Claire Hansel - named the NCCAA DII North Region Player of the Year - was leading from the front, as she was the only Sabercat to chalk up 10 or more kills in both matches. Hansel put down 12 against Trinity and another 10 against Faith, effectively putting both defenses on their heels. Emily Johnson - a 1st-Team All-Region selection - just made it easy for Hansel and company. The freshman setter dished out 47 assists on the say, pitching in four aces and 14 digs for good measure.

Mattie Bumpus - another 1st-Team selection - contributed 13 kills and five blocks on the day, and Regina Anderson's 13-kill, 20-dig performance was crucial for the Sabercats to maintain their sweep streak in North Region play in 2020. Erica Ureke - a 2nd-Team All-Region selection - kept the floor clean at the Libero position. Ureke picked up 22 digs on the day - the most of any Sabercat.

At the end of the day, the Sabercats held off the spirited hosts of Faith Baptist, punching a ticket to Bob Jones University and the 2020 NCCAA DII National Tournament.

MBU Starters (combined games): 3- Johnson, 4- Hansel, 8- Bumpus, 11- Ureke (L), 14- Kemlo, 22- Miller, 23- Anderson

STATS (combined)

• Hansel: 22 K, 20 D
• Johson: 47 A, 4 SA, 14 D
• Anderson: 13 K, 20 D
• Bumpus: 13 K, 5B
• MBU: 96 D
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Faith, 20-1
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Trinity, 3-0

NEXT

The Sabercats will await the seeding call for the 2020 NCCAA DII National Tournament, held at Bob Jones University November 18-20. Details to be announced at mbusabercats.com.