<p>WATERTOWN, Wis. -- A slow start killed the Sabercats' home-floor momentum on Friday night, as Maranatha fell in straight sets to Great Lakes Christian College in the regular-season finale.<br /> <br /> Maranatha now turns their attention to Friday and the 2024 NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament. The Sabercats will open play at 12:30 p.m. on Friday against the #4-seeded Moody Bible Institute Archers.<br /> <br /> <strong>OVERVIEW</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Result: Maranatha 0-3 Great Lakes (7-25, 22-25, 21-25)</li> <li>Venue: Maranathat Baptist University Gymnasium</li> <li>Location: Watertown, Wis.</li> <li>Records: MBU (3-26), GLCC (7-11)</li> </ul> <p><strong>STORY</strong> <br /> The Crusaders put out their best offensive display of the night while limiting the Sabercats to only 2 kills in the opening set, winning 25-7 to take full control of the match right out of the gate. Megan Anderson and Sarah Nason put down kills in the opening set, but that was the best the Sabercats could do in a difficult opening frame. The Crusaders were rolling.<br /> <br /> Three mid-set kills from Tessa Hinze gave the Sabercats the upper hand for a majority of the second set, but the Crusaders unleashed a surprise run, notching five straight points to snatch the set out of the Sabercats' hands and take a 2-0 lead in the match.<br /> <br /> That didn't stop the Sabercats from fighting. Early kills from Nason, Hinze, and Ella Malmanger pushed the Sabercats out to a 15-7 lead in the third set. Back stormed the Crusaders, who put together a 7-0 run to jump right back in the think of things. Maranatha maintained a slim lead but Great Lakes surged late, compiling a 6-0 run to deal a blow the Sabercats ultimately couldn't overcome. After two hard-fought sets to close it out, Great Lakes had done just enough to keep the Sabercats out of reach and seal the win before regionals.<br />  </p> <em>MBU Starters: 6- Botha</em><em>, 7- Malmanger, 9- Hinze, 13- Broere, 14- Anderson, 16- Nason, 22- Miller (C) (Libero)</em> <p><strong>SERIES</strong></p> <ul> <li>Last time: The Sabercats swept the Crusaders three times in the 2020 season</li> <li>Series: The all-time series stands at 10-1 in Maranatha's favor</li> </ul> <em>*career-high</em> <p><strong>OPPONENTS</strong></p> <ul> <li>Great Lakes competes with the Sabercats in the NCCAA Midwest Region</li> <li>Great Lakes is ranked #3 for the upcoming NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament</li> </ul> <p><strong>NEXT</strong></p> <p>The Sabercats will host the NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament next Friday and Saturday. Follow all the action at <em><a href="https://www.mbusabercats.com/sports/wvball/2021-22/schedule">mbusabercats.com/schedule</a></em>.</p>