WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Maranatha beat Mount Mary 3-2 in a competitive match. With that win, the Sabercats' win streak extends to 10.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 3-2 Mount Mary (25-21, 25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 15-5)
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wisconsin
• Event: -
• Attendance: 212
• Records: MBU (15-4), MMU (8-13)

STORY

Having faced Mount Mary twice already this season, Maranatha knew they would have some good competition in yesterday's match. With that in mind, the Sabercats came out in the opening set ready to play. With a couple of early kills from Mattie Bumpus and Delaney Thompson, the Sabercats were able to jump to an 8-4 lead. Mount Mary continued to fight and stole the lead near the end of the set (19-18).

But after a sizzling attack from Bumpus that ricocheted off the hands of Mount Mary's Caitlyn Krell, the Blue Devils were left flustered. With two back-to-back attack errors, they gave the lead back to the Sabercats before calling a timeout (21-20). With a murderous kill from Kiarra Henkel and two back-to-back aces from Delaney Thompson the Sabercats now were at game point. Another timeout from Mount Mary succeeded in icing Thompson on her next serve, but Bumpus had her teammates back, finishing the game on the next play with a brick wall block (25-21).

After another fine-looking win in set two, things were looking good for the Sabercats and the home crowd started to look forward to an early night in. But the Blue Angels had other plans. Catching the Sabercats off-guard, Mount Mary jumped out to an early lead and was able to maintain a 5 to 6-point cushion for the majority of the game. But with a couple of kills from Bumpus and Thompson, the Sabercats were able to fight back, cutting Mount Mary's lead to one. (24-23) With a perfectly set lollipop tip by Kaitlyn Powers, Mount Mary came away with set three.

In the fourth set, Mount Mary seemed to really find their rhythm. With the exception of Liberty Bailey's ace that started the game, the Blue Angels quickly took the lead and never gave it up. Maranatha hit a slump, having multiple serving and attacking errors early in the set. They dug themselves a hole too deep and were unable to climb out in time. Mount Mary won the fourth set with a score of 25-19.

Things were serious now. Going into set five the Sabercats knew they needed to make a change if they wanted to keep their current winning streak alive. And change they did. The Sabercat attackers showed no mercy as they relentlessly threw down kill after kill. The Sabercats wasted no time, taking only 10 minutes to finish the game with a 15-5 win. With that, they extended their win streak to 10.

Emily Johnson gave her all in the match, ending with a new career-high of 58 assists! She looked to the reliable veteran Mattie Bumpus, with most of her sets. Bumpus attacked 55 times and had 26 kills on the night, just two shy of her career-high. 

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MBU Starters: 3-Johnson, 4-Reid (Libero), 8-Bumpus, 21-A. Henkel, 22-Miller, 23-K. Henkel, 24-Thompson

STATS 

• MBU: 68 K, 62 A, 70 DIGS
• MMU: 47 K, 31 A, 65 DIGS
• Johnson: 58 A, 9 DIGS
• Bumpus: 26 K, 5 BLKS
• K. Henkel: 12 K, 9 DIGS, 3 A
• A. Henkel: 14 K
• Bailey: 3 SA
• Last Time: Maranatha beat Mount Mary 3-1 at the Mount Mary Autumn Classic last Friday, Oct. 7
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Mount Mary 41-16

OPPONENT

• Mount Mary University competes regionally in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Mount Mary University finished the 2021 season with a 7-24 record

NEXT

The Sabercats stay in Watertown where they Faith Baptist Bible College, tomorrow at 10 a.m. for Parents' Day. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.