OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 3-1 Lawrence (21-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22)
• Venue: Bloechl Center, Mount Mary University
• Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
• Event: MSOE Invitational
• Attendance: 0
• Records: MBU (4-9), LU (5-7)

STORY

Coming off of back-to-back wins last weekend, the Sabercats began the contest in a tight first set against Lawrence that resulted in a 25-21 loss. They attacked the Lawrence defense with a balanced offense, as six different players recorded kills in the first set. But they didn't let the loss hold them back as they continued to battle through a back-and-forth first half of set two. Again, six different players recorded kills in set two, and Mattie Bumpus ended the 25-17 win with her eighth kill of the match.

Maranatha didn't look back after their win as they continued to attack in back-and-forth sets three and four. The offense continued to spread the wealth of kills as six different players again recorded kills in set three, but Bumpus continued to shine through the remaining sets on her way to setting a career-high 20 kills in the match. Jennifer Rueb and Caitrin Kemlo stepped up to sway the back-and-forth sets to Sabercat favor, and Maranatha took each of the last two sets 25-22.

Along with Bumpus reaching 20 kills, Kemlo and Melanie Woller both recorded 9 kills to help bolster the well-rounded offense. Emily Johnson recorded 42 assists, inching her closer to 1000 career assists. Erica Ureke led the Sabercat defense with 18 digs. Overall, the Sabercats 51 kills in the hard-fought win over Lawrence, earning their third straight win.

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MBU Starters: 3- Johnson, 8- Bumpus, 9- Woller, 13- Bates, 22- Miller, 24- Rueb

STATS 

• Bumpus: Career-high 20 kills
• Johnson: 42 assists
• Ureke: 18 digs
• Kemlo, Woller: 9 kills
• MBU: 51 kills, 46 assists, 59 digs
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Lawrence 3-0 in 2019
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Lawrence 12-3

OPPONENT

• Lawrence competes in the Midwest Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Lawrence was unable to compete in 2020 due to COVID restrictions
• Lawrence has posted their best September record since 2011

NEXT

The Sabercats remain in Milwaukee on Saturday at the MSOE Invitational. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.