KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- After taking a 3-0 loss to the top-seeded Bob Jones University Bruins to open pool play, the Sabercats have an uphill battle at NCCAA Nationals.

Maranatha takes on #4 Johnson Tennessee tonight at 6:15 p.m. Eastern in what should be a must-win situation if the Sabercats want to keep their tournament hopes alive.

OVERVIEW

• Results: #8 Maranatha 0-3 #1 Bob Jones (18-25, 20-25, 16-25)
• Venue: Kissimmee Civic Center
• Location: Kissimmee, Fla.
• Event: NCCAA DII National Tournament
• Attendance: 117
• Records: MBU (13-16), BJU (28-6)

STORY  

It was all about Bob Jones to start the match, as Victoria Glaze swung Bob Jones out to a 13-3 lead. Late miscues from the Bruins gave the Sabercats new life, and BJU called time with a 16-22 lead, but the terminal damage had been done and Bob Jones held on to win 25-18 in the opener. Glaze was leading the charge, as the big-swinging Bruins put up 16 kills in the first set while limiting the Sabercats to nine.

Early kills from Mattie Bumpus, Caitrin Kemlo, and Jennifer Rueb gave Maranatha a 10-7 lead in the second set, which ended up the closest of the three. But the difference-maker was Bob Jones' balanced attack, as the Bruins scored 10 of 11 mid-set points from kills. Bob Jones successfully held Maranatha off to the tune of 20-25 and it was looking like a fourth straight Bruin win in the storied MBU-BJU series.

The win came soon enough. Bob Jones just had too much steam. The Bruins posted an early lead and kept the Sabercats at an arm's length, and the closest Maranatha would come was five points away at 16-21. But once the bear was poked, the end of the match was a certainty, as Bob Jones finished off the opening win of the tournament with four straight kills.

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MBU Starters: 3- Johnson, 4- Reid, 6- Bailey, 8- Bumpus, 11- Ureke, 22- Miller, 24- Rueb

STATS 

• Bumpus: 9 K
• Emily Johnson: 2 K, 20 A, 3 D
• Erica Ureke: 12 D
• Liberty Bailey: 3 K, 8 D
• Kill Count: Maranatha 27-48 Bob Jones
• Last time: Bob Jones defeated Maranatha 3-1 in the semifinals at the 2020 National tournament
• Series: Bob Jones leads the all-time series 4-2

OPPONENTS

• Bob Jones is dually affiliated in both the NCCAA DII and the NCAA DIII
• Bob Jones reached nationals as an At-Large bid in the South region after losing to Pensacola in the South Region championship

NEXT

The Sabercats will face Johnson (Tenn.) at 6:15 Eastern this evening. Details will be announced at mbusabercats.com/schedule.