LEAD

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Sabercats faced 0-3 losses today against two tough opponents, the No 3 Carolina Bruins and the No. 1 Warner Royals. Today's results put's them into the consolation bracket tomorrow, where they will start by facing the No. 6 Houghton Highlanders at 3 p.m. EST.

With three solo blocks on the day, Jacob Valeria moved to the number one spot for Maranatha's all-time career solo blocks category. He now has 27 through his career. 

OVERVIEW

• Final:
  • Game One: No. 7 Maranatha 0-3 No. 3 Carolina University (7-25, 19-25, 9-25)
  • Game Two: No. 7 Maranatha 0-3 No. 1 Warner University (17-25, 15-25, 7-25)
• Venue: Voller Athletic Center - Roberts Wesleyan University
• Location: Rochester, N.Y.
• Event: NCCAA National Invitational
• Records: MBU (0-4), CU (1-1), WU (1-2)

STORY 

Maranatha knew they would be going up against some tough opponents on the opening day of the invitational. Still, it was not the start that they had wished for, finishing with only eight kills to No. 3 Carolina's 31. The Bruins strong game at both the hitting line and the service line (22 Aces) allowed them cruise through the match with a 3-0 sweep. 

But the Sabercats improved their game in the next match against the number one seeded Warner University. Maranatha finished with their best hitting game of the season thus far, ending with 17 kills. However, despite finding more success they still gave up 17 points in hitting errors, giving them a final hitting percentage of zero. 

Still, Maranatha should major improvement in their game, falling by eight and nine points respectively in the first two sets. Warner went on to take the match in a sweep, leaving the Sabercats still hungry for their first win of the season. 

Jacob Valeria finished the day as the top hitter for the Sabercats with a combined 11 kills through the matches. He also had three solo blocks for his team which places him at the top of the leader board for Maranatha's all-time career solo blocks with 27. 
--

Maranatha Starters: Goetz-6, Earnest-8, Says-12, Huston-13, Nason-14 (Libero), Knight-16, Valeria-20

STATS 

• Last time: Maranatha was swept by Carolina on Jan. 28, 2023
• Series: Maranatha now trails the series against Carolina 0-2
• Last time: Maranatha was swept by Warner on Jan. 24, 2020
• Series: Maranatha now trails the series against Warner 0-2

OPPONENTS

• Carolina competes in the NCCAA South Region (Dl)
• Carolina finished the '23 season with a record of 6-13
• Warner competes in the NCCAA South Region (Dl)
• Warner finished the '23 season with a record of 16-7

NEXT

Maranatha will take on No. 6 Houghton University tomorrow at 3 p.m. EST and No. 1 Warner University at 5:30 p.m. EST. Follow at mbusabercats.com