WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats extinguished the Alverno Inferno in a 3-0 sweep. Interim head coach Mattie Bumpus earned her first home-court win on the night. 

Arielle Henkel led her team on both the front line and the service line finishing with 14 kills, 4 blocks, and 3 serving aces.

OVERVIEW

• Results:
  • Maranatha 3-0 Alverno (25-16, 25-9, 25-22)
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: Home Opener
• Attendance: 205
• Records: MBU (4-1), AC (0-5)

STORY 

The Maranatha gymnasium was packed full tonight to watch the Sabercats in their home opener. Both teams kept things tight at the start of the night, but Maranatha soon found a spark on the front line. Hard-hitting from Kiarra Henkel, Arielle Henkel, and Chloe Steuerwald helped Maranatha jump to a lead that they would never give up, and the Sabercats took set one 25-16.

Between the crowd and the players, the energy was high. Maranatha turned on the cruise control for set two and snuffed out the Inferno 25-9. 

Alverno was not ready to give up, however, and they started the third set with a three-point run. But a kill from Emily Johnson put the Sabercats back in the lead, (6-5). Alverno simply had no answers for the heat that was being hit by the Henkel sisters, who had a total of 24 kills combined on the night. 

Maranatha finished the third set 25-22, ending the night with a home-opening sweep. 

SOUND BITE

"The first win was so exciting," said interim head coach Mattie Bumpus. "The team showed me what they were capable of and I'm excited to see what the rest of the season holds. As for last night, we had an energetic crowd that fueled us. Family and friends came to support and even though we had to work through home court nerves, it was still a fun game to watch."

NOT IN ARIELLE'S HOUSE ��

Set point! pic.twitter.com/KdJ5JsW4Ix

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) September 13, 2023

MATCH.

We win in straight sets in OUR HOUSE!

Ⓜ️ Maranatha 3
�� Alverno 0

(25-19, 25-9, 25-22) | FINAL | �� pic.twitter.com/CQEPauz3Zd

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) September 13, 2023

Final MATH:

�� Arielle 14K, 3SA, 1D, 4B
�� Kiarra 10K, 7D
�� Tessa 5K, 1D, 1B
�� Emily 30A, 11D
✍️ Sarah 1D
�� Megan 10D

The night is ours over Alverno!

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) September 13, 2023

MBU Starters: 3-Johnson, 7-Steuerwald, 9-Hinze, 13-Swaffer, 21-A. Henkel, 22-Miller (Libero), 23-K. Henkel

STATS 

• Henkel Sister Kill Count: 24
  • A. Henkel X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 
  • K. Henkel X X X X X X X X X X
• MBU:  37 K,  32 A,  48 DIGS
• Last Time: Maranatha swept Alverno 3-0 last weekend at the Blue Angel Bash (Sep. 9, 2023)
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Alverno 27-1

*Career-High

OPPONENT

• Alverno competes regionally in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Alverno finished the 2022 season with a 5-20 record

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Ripon, Wisconsin for the Redhawks Invitational, Friday where they will play at at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.