MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Maranatha closed out their regular season with a 3-0 sweep over Mount Mary. 

The Sabercats finished the regular season with a 21-5 record. They now look ahead to the NCCAA North Region tournament where they have clinched the No. 1 seed. 

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  
  • Maranatha 3-0 Mount Mary (25-22, 25-20, 25-16)
• Venue: Bloechle Center - Mount Mary University
• Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Attendance: - 
• Records: #2 MBU (21-5), MMU (8-21)

STORY

For the last game of the 2022 regular season, Maranatha once again faced off against Mount Mary University. This was the fifth time these two teams have met this season, and although Maranatha came away victorious at the end of each match, Mount Mary definitely put in some good competition for the Sabercats. 

In the first set of the night, Mount Mary found a bit of fire early on. The Blue Angles went on a 7-point run, giving them an early 8-2 lead over the Sabercats. However, Maranatha is not known for giving up, and they quickly found their way back into the game. With the game all tied up 10-10 the Blue Angels once again cushioned a lead with another run of 7-points. (17-10). Things were not looking good for the Sabercats, but Coach DeLozier had faith in her team. She called a timeout which helped the Sabercats to get a well-needed breather and clear their heads. 3 Kills from Arielle Henkel and 2 aces from Eryn Bates helped put Maranatha right back in the game. The Sabercats continued to pound the ball down on the flustered Blue Angels, and with 3 straight kills from Mattie Bumpus, the Sabercats pulled off an epic comeback (25-22).

In the next two sets, it was Maranatha that would jump out to the early lead. And although Mount Mary fought in both to catch up, they ultimately couldn't pull off the comebacks. Maranatha won the final two sets 25-20 and 25-16, sweeping Mount Mary 3-0 for the first time this season. 

The Sabercats will use the rest of the week to prepare for the NCCAA North Region Tournament where they will play the winner of the Faith/Trinity game. Maranatha clinched the No. 1 seed for the regional tournament and is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation.

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MBU Starters: 3-Johnson, 4-Reid (Libero), 8-Bumpus, 20-Cooper, 21-A. Henkel, 22-Miller, 23-K. Henkel

STATS 

• MBU: 40 K, 39 A, 59 DIGS
• MMU: 25 K, 23 A, 44 DIGS
• Bumpus: 13 K, 4 DIGS, 2 BLKS
• Thompson: 10 K, 7 DIGS, 3 SA
• A. Henkel: 9 K, 3 DIGS
• Johnson: 32 A, 7 DIGS
• Reid: 9 DIGS
• Last Time: Maranatha beat Mount Mary 3-1 in Milwaukee on Oct. 22
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Mount Mary 43-16

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 will travel to Ankeny, Iowa where they will play the winner of the Faith/Trinity game in the NCCAA North Region Tournament, next Monday at 7:15 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.