APPLETON, Wis. -- Maranatha started day 2 of the Lawrence Tournament off right as they took down Rockford in just 3 sets. But the Sabercats were not able to end with a perfect record. They fell to Northland, losing the last three of four sets 22-25.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 3-0 Rockford University (25-22, 25-22, 30-28)
  • Maranatha 1-3 Northland College (25-18, 23-25, 23-25, 23-25)
• Venue: Alexander Gymnasium, Lawrence University
• Location: Appleton, Wis.
• Event: Lawrence Tournament
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (4-3), RU (3-8, NC (4-4)

STORY

ROCKFORD- Having won both matches the day before, Maranatha started day two of the Lawrence Tournament as the team to beat. The Rockford Regents gave the Sabercats a fight. Regents' Crain and Burton both had a great game in the front row. The Sabercats had a hard time putting the block on the two girls who, combined, got 22 of their team 38 kills. But thanks to Caitrin Kemlo and Delaney Thompson the Sabercats were able to return the favor. Kemlo smashed down 15 kills in the match and Thompson added another 12 kills, her new career high.

The Sabercats pulled through the first two sets in 25-22 wins. And after a back-and-forth battle that seemed like it would go on forever, Maranatha was able to clinch set three 30-28.

NORTHLAND- Maranatha and Northland entered the last match, both a 3-0 record for the tournament. Things looked good for the Sabercats as they won the first set with a nice 7-pt. cushion (25-18). But the LumberJills found their rhythm in the sets to follow. The Sabercats struggled once again to put up blocks and felt the wrath of Northlands hitters. (Montgomery-13 kills, Justman-14 kills, Fossum-16 kills) Maranatha fell to Northland in each of the last three sets, 22-25.

Even though it wasn't the end they were hoping for, the Sabercats still had a weekend to be proud of. With a 3-1 record it pushed them ahead in their season to an overall 4-3 record. Emily Johnson also achieved a career milestone of 527 digs.

MBU Starters:

• Match 1: 3-Johnson, 4-Reid (Libero), 8-Bumpus, 9-Woller, 14-Kemlo, 21-A. Henkel, 24-Thompson
• Match 2: 3-Johnson, 4-Reid (Libero), 8-Bumpus, 9-Woller, 21-A. Henkel, 22-Miller, 24-Thompson

STATS (2 Matches Combined)

• Johnson: 66 A, 24 DIGS
• Miller: 18 DIGS
• Kemlo: 21 K
• Thompson: 21 K
• Bumpus: 19 K
• MBU: 85 K, 74 A, 111 DIGS
• Last Time: Maranatha defeated Rockford 3-1 in October of 2021
• Last Time: Northland defeated Maranatha 3-0 in September 2021
• Series: Maranatha leads in the all-time series against Rockford 14-5
• Series: Maranatha now trails in the all-time series against Northland 2-3

ALL-TOURNAMENT

Mattie Bumpus, Emily Johnson, and Delaney Thompson were named to the all-tournament team.

OPPONENT

• Rockford University competes regionally in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Rockford University finished the 2021 season with a 6-24 record
• Northland College competes regionally in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Northland College finished the 2021 season with a 7-16 record

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Dubuque, Iowa to take on Emmaus on Friday at 6:00 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.