WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats swept the floor Friday, beating both Spurgeon and Faith 3-0 at the Maranatha Triangular.

With those wins, they push their win streak to 12!

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 3-0 Spurgeon (25-16, 25-20, 25-10)
  • Maranatha 3-0 Faith (25-13, 25-12, 25-16)
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wisconsin
• Event: NCCAA North Region Regular Season (FBBC)
• Attendance: 
  • Game 1: 119
  • Game 2: 237
• Records: #3 MBU (16-4), SC (3-9), #7 FBBC (13-12)

STORY

It was a long day on Friday for the Maranatha volleyball team as they hosted a triangular event against Spurgeon College and Faith Baptist Bible College. But, even after having just played a game the previous night, the Sabercats did not show any signs of tiredness. They took the court at 4:00 p.m. ready to work. 

This was the Sabercats' first meeting with Spurgeon, who just started their volleyball program last year. The young team was granted no mercy from Maranatha, who swept them 3-0.

Mattie Bumpus led the pack with 11 kills and Delaney Thompson followed close behind with 9 kills. The Sabercats overall had a strong attacking game, finishing the match with a team total kill percentage of .390. Maranatha also performed well from the service line having a total of 14 aces, led by Eryn Bates and Delaney Thompson who both had 3 aces apiece. 

The Sabercats took a short break before coming back to play Faith Baptist Bible College (#7 nationally ranked) at 8 p.m. With classes done for the day, the Sabercat fan section grew as the students came to support their team. 

The stakes were high for Maranatha as not only was this a regional conference match-up but, the Sabercats' twelfth consecutive win was on the line. Delaney Thompson and Caitrin Kemlo both went to work, going completely off on the front line! The Eagles had no answer for the two girls, who both ended with 12 kills apiece. Thompson didn't let up when it was her turn to serve. She led the Sabercats with 5 aces. 

Making it look all too easy, the Sabercats swept the Eagles 3-0, showing why they have the #3 national ranking. With that win, they extended their winning streak to a dozen! 

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MBU Starters: 3-Johnson, 4-Reid (Libero), 6-Bailey, 8-Bumpus, 22-Miller, 23-K. Henkel, 24-Thompson

STATS (Two matches combined)

• MBU: 82 K, 69 A, 66 DIGS
• Johnson: 57 A, 6 K, 13 DIGS
• Bumpus: 20 K, 4 BLKS
• Thompson: 21 K, 8 SA
• Reid: 25 DIGS, 1 K
• Kemlo: 19 K
• Bates: 6 SA
• Last Time: This is Maranatha's first match-up against Spurgeon
• Last Time: Maranatha beat Faith 3-1 at the Faith Classic Tournament on Sep. 30, 2022
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-team series against Spurgeon 1-0
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Faith 23-1

OPPONENT

• Spurgeon College competes in the National Christian Athletic Association Southwest region
• Spurgeon College finished the 2021 season with a 3-13 record
• This is Spurgeon's second season with a volleyball program
• Faith Baptist Bible College competes regionally alongside Maranatha in the National Christian College Athletic Association 
• Faith Baptist Bible College also competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference
• In 2021 FBBC finished 2nd in the MCCC and they made it to the NCCAA Dll National Tournament with a 5th seed ranking.
• Faith Baptist Bible College finished the 2021 season with a 17-12 record

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where they will play Olivet College and Alma College on day one of the Mount Mary Autumn Classic, Friday at 3:30 & 7:30 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.