MINNEAPOLIS -- The Sabercats were tested to the limit and showed positive signs over the weekend, taking straight-set losses to the second-ranked North Central University Rams and the ninth-ranked Crown College Polars in the Twin Cities.
Tessa Hinze tied her career-high of 10 kills against North Central, but the Sabercats were limited by the Polars in the second match of the day.
OVERVIEW
- Result:
- Maranatha 0-3 No. 2 North Central (18-25, 13-25, 15-25)
- Maranatha 0-3 No. 9 Crown (11-25, 11-25, 14-25)
- Venue: North Central University
- Location: Minneapolis
- Records: MBU (2-22), NCU (14-5), CC (6-9)
STORY
In the first match, there seemed to be no way around Crown, as the Polars stifled the Sabercats' hitters, limiting Maranatha to single-digit kills in the three-set contest. On the other side of the net, Crown started with 14 kills. Emma Bottelberghe led the Polars' 6-2 rotation with a dozen kills while Ellie Fuller's 26 digs kept the Polars in front.
Maranatha saved their best for last, however, putting up 14 points in the final frame for an upward trajectory.
The Sabercats had their best showing of the day in the first set of the North Central match, as they didn't back down from the second-ranked team in the NCCAA Division II. Even a 7-0 North Central run didn't deter Maranatha in the first set, as kills from Lilly Broere and Hinze made it a 17-15 frame to keep North Central on their toes. But the Rams did enough to evade the Sabercats, taking the first set 25-18 thanks to some big plays at the net from Sydney Carlson, who finished the first set with a couple of kills and a set-ending block.
The Rams' consistency was pernicious, as the hosts compiled 13 kills in each set to take the straight-set win. Hinze's 10 kills were supplemented by 15 assists from Eileen Botha, while Megan Miller (12 digs) and Megan Anderson (8 digs) paced the defense.
MBU Starters: 6- Botha, 7- Malmanger, 9- Hinze, 13- Broere, 14- Anderson, 16- Nason, 22- Miller (C) (Libero)
STATS
OPPONENTS
- North Central and Crown both compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
- North Central and Crown both compete in the NCCAA North Region
NEXT
The Sabercats will host Mount Mary University on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
