KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Sabercats started off on a high note but let a four-set decision go to the red-hot Manhattan Christian College today at NCCAA Nationals Pool Play.

The loss means the Sabercats face the #2 seed, Arlington Baptist, tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. EST in a rematch of the 2019 NCCAA DII National Semifinal.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #4 Maranatha 1-3 #1 Manhattan (25-19, 17-25, 23-25, 19-25) 
• Venue: Kissimmee Civic Center 
• Location: Kissimmee, Florida
• Event: NCCAA National Tournament
• Attendance: -
• Records: #4 MBU (25-6), #1 MCC (29-4)

STORY

Maranatha created points in a lot of different ways in the first set, as they stamped their name in the box score through six kills, five aces, and four blocks in the opening set. Mattie Bumpus was proving her National Player of the Year selection by contributing all around, and Caitrin Kemlo joined in with two kills of her own.

But just as the momentum started, it changed course as the Thunder settled into a rhythm. Manhattan put down 15 kills in the third set - their highest in the match - and they went on a set-deciding 10-1 run in the middle stages to seal off a commanding 25-17 win.

The pivotal third set was the tightest in the match, and Maranatha had their most powerful and well-balanced attack of the day - Arielle Henkel led a 17-kill showing with the support staff of Bumpus, Kemlo, and Delaney Thompson. Neither team led by more than two points in the back-and-forth thriller, but Manhattan came out with the goods and the 2-1 advantage with a 25-23 win.

With the match going their way, there was no stopping the Thunder, who ultimately extended their unbeaten streak to 18 matches by the end of it. Manhattan rolled through the final set with a 25-19 win to secure the top spot in the pool and a matchup with the #3 seed, Bob Jones University.

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

STATS 

• Box Score
• Last Time: Maranatha swept Manhattan 3-0 during the Faith Spike Fest Tournament in 2017
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Manhattan 8-1

OPPONENT

• Manhattan competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference. They finished 1st this season in the MCCC with a 10-0 conference record. 
• Manhattan also competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association - Southwest Region.
• Manhattan fell to Bob Jones last year in the NCCAA National Semi-Final

NEXT

The Sabercats face #2 Arlington Baptist tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Eastern in the NCCAA DII National Semifinal. Follow stats at mbusabercats.com/schedule.