WYOMING, Mich. -- The eighth-ranked Grace Christian University Tigers defended their home floor with tenacity today, securing a pair of straight-set wins over the Sabercats in NCCAA Midwest Region play.

The Sabercats will regroup after the two losses and focus on their fourth home match of the season, a 7:00 p.m. matchup with Mount Mary on Thursday night.

OVERVIEW 

• Result:
  • Maranatha 0-3 No. 8 Grace (11-25, 13-25, 13-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 No. 8 Grace (14-25, 6-25, 18-25)
• Venue: Grace Chrsitian University
• Location: Wyoming, Mich.
• Records: MBU (1-20), GCU (9-10)

STORY 
Maranatha had trouble generating offensive momentum in the opening match, as they were limited to six kills in the opening two sets while Grace put down 17 in the second set alone. The Tigers kept the pedal to the metal, and with no subs available, the Sabercats were tested to their limits. Grace compiled 51 points in the first match to take a clinical straight-set sweep.

The second match was more in Grace's favor, as they held Maranatha to six points in the second frame. But the Sabercats battled to the finish, as kills from Eileen Botha and Tessa Hinze gave Maranatha a 13-11 lead to put the Tigers on the back foot. Enter Leah Buller, who put the Tigers on a 7-2 run with a kill and 2 blocks, and just like that, the hosts had distanced themselves and would go on to secure the straight-set win. Grace registered 53 points in the second match of the day.

STATS

• Box Score Match 1
• Box Score Match 2
• Last time: Grace won 3-0 in the 2023 NCCAA Midwest Region Championship
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Grace 27-3

OPPONENTS

• Grace competes with the Sabercats in the NCCAA Midwest Region (Division II)
• Grace finished the 2023 in the NCCAA DII National Semifinals

NEXT

The Sabercats will host Mount Mary University on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.