MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Day one of the Blue Angel Bash had its ups and downs as Maranatha went 1-1 on the day. The Sabercats started their season by falling 1-3 against Ripon College. But they came back strong and defeated Rockford University 3-1.

Arielle Henkel started her senior season out strong, setting a new career high of 21 kills (previously 16 K). Megan Miller (senior) and Kiarra Henkel (sophomore) also set new career highs in digs. Henkel finished with 20 digs and Miller with 19 digs against Rockford.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 1-3 Ripon (16-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25)
  • Maranatha 3-1 Rockford (25-13, 14-25, 26-24, 25-23)
• Venue: Bloechl Center, Mount Mary University
• Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
• Event: Blue Angel Bash
• Records: MBU (1-1), RC (2-3), RU (1-1)

STORY

Despite splitting on the day, the young Sabercat team finished their first matches of the season with many positives. All 10 of the new faces made their Sabercat debut today at the Blue Angel Bash in Milwaukee and three of the five returning players from last season recorded career-highs. Coach Mattie Bumpus also recorded her career win as the Sabercats' new interim Head Coach. 

RIPON - From the start of the first set, it seemed like there was going to be a battle between the Sabercats and the Red Hawks as both teams remained neck and neck. But things quickly went downhill for Maranatha after multiple hitting and defensive errors. Once Ripon had obtained a four-point cushion, the Sabercats struggled to find their way back, falling 16-25 in set one.

The young Sabercats found a little more energy as they entered into set two. Even as Ripon pulled ahead early on, at one point leading by a six-point margin, Arielle Henkel and freshman Tessa Hinze put down a combined six kills, giving the Sabercats a fighting chance. 

Maranatha reduced the gap to just one point, at 22-23. But the Red Hawks refused to quit, and back-to-back kills from Lydia Ellis and Haylee Kast granted Ripon their second win of the set (25-22).

The Sabercats went into set three with the same boost of energy, and this time they grabbed the early lead (5-2). Maranatha had their best hitting game of the match finishing with 15 kills and only three errors. With the help of the Henkel sisters, who combined for 10 of the Sabercasts 15 kills, Maranatha was able to finish with their first set win of the season (25-21). 

But the excitement from the win was short-lived as Ripon put on the cruise-control for set four, winning 25-15 and taking the match 3-1.

ROCKFORD - Going into match two, the young Sabercats had already gotten over the nerves and were ready to get to work. A. Henkel started the Sabercats off with a kill followed by an ace from Sarah Nason. Maranatha quickly found themselves with a cushy lead and finished off the first set with a 25-13 win over the Regents.

But the tables seemed to turn in set two as the scoreboard practically flipped, with Rockford finishing 25-14 over Maranatha. The next two sets were more of a battle for the two teams and while Maranatha pulled away with both wins, the final scores both had a two-point margin (26-24 & 25-23). 

With both teams finishing with the same amount of hitting errors and Rockford outhitting Maranatha by two kills (42 total), the difference really came down to serving. The Sabercats' aggressive serve approach left them with eight aces compared to the Regents' two. Freshman Sarah Nason led the Sabercats with three aces in the match.

MBU Starters:

• Match 1: 3-Johnson, 7-Steuerwald, 9-Hinze, 13-Swaffer, 21-A. Henkel, 22-Miller (Libero), 23-K. Henkel
• Match 2: 3-Johnson, 7-Steuerwald, 9-Hinze, 13-Swaffer, 21-A. Henkel, 22-Miller (Libero), 23-K. Henkel

STATS (two matches combined)

• *A. Henkel: 32 K, 7 DIGS, 2 BLKS
• *K. Henkel: 21 K, 34 DIGS
• Johnson: 67 A, 28 DIGS
• *Miller: 32 DIGS, 3 A
• Steuerwald: 10 K, 14 DIGS
• MBU: 83 K, 81 A, 159 DIGS
• Last Time: Maranatha defeated Ripon 3-1 on September 10, 2022
• Last Time: Maranatha defeated Rockford 3-0 on September 17, 2022
• Series: Maranatha currently trails the all-time series against Ripon 1-3
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Rockford 14-5

*Career-High

OPPONENT

• Ripon competes regionally in the Midwest Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Ripon finished the 2022 season with a 5-21 record
• Rockford competes regionally in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Rockford finished the 2022 season with a 5-22 record

NEXT

The Sabercats continue in Milwaukee for day two of the Blue Angel Bash, tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.