KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- With a straight-set loss to #2 Arlington Baptist this afternoon, the Sabercats' 2022 season comes to a disappointing end in the NCCAA National Semifinal.

This was the final game in charge for Coach Regina DeLozier, who finishes her career at Maranatha with an undeniable impact on the court, and a profound influence off of it.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #4 Maranatha 0-3 #2 Arlington (15-25, 15-25, 19-25) 
• Venue: Kissimmee Civic Center 
• Location: Kissimmee, Florida
• Event: NCCAA National Tournament
• Attendance: -
• Records: #4 MBU (25-7), #2 ABU (23-3)

STORY

Arlington's swings were strong enough to deny Maranatha any lasting momentum in the first set, as the Patriots showed right away that they came to Kissimmee with the drive to make something happen. The Patriots put down 16 kills in the opening set and help Maranatha to only nine, taking a commanding 25-15 win.

The second set was a carbon copy of the first, as Arlington followed up their 16-kill performance with 18 kills in the second set alone. Again, 25-15 for Arlington.

The way the Patriots were going, the third set didn't look good for the Sabercats, who were grinding for every point under the onslaught of the Arlington attack. The Patriots would put down 17 kills to win the final set 25-19, but it wasn't without pressure from the Sabercats. The key moment of the match came with the score tied at 17 when Arlington swung out to a 23-17 lead to put the Sabercats on the back foot for the last time. 

Mattie Bumpus was leading the attack, playing the final match of her career with a 10-kill showing. Emily Johnson dished out 24 assists and 11 digs, and Caitrin Kemlo knocked down nine kills and had two blocks.

All in all, it was the Saberats' 11th finish in the National Final Four since DeLozier took over for her first season. The Sabercats finish a memorable 2022 season with a record of 25-7.

Regina DeLozier coached her final game for Maranatha today in the NCCAA DII National Semifinal.

Her career impact can't be overstated:

�� 3 National Titles
�� 3 National Runner-ups
4️⃣ 11 National Final Four finishes
❄️ 12 Regional Titles
���� 35 All-Americans
�� 352-167 Record pic.twitter.com/3giJWSuCoQ

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) November 19, 2022

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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 beat Arlington 3-1 in the 2019 NCCAA DII National Semifinal
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Arlington 5-1

OPPONENT

• Arlington comes into the tournament with the fewest losses (3)
• Arlington lost to #1 Manhattan Christian in the Southwest Region Championship
• Arlington did not compete at last year's National Tournament

NEXT

A full recap of the season will be forthcoming at mbusabercats.com.