LEAD
ELGIN, Ill. -- Despite the the Sabercats improvement from set to set, Judson was able to cruise through the night for a 3-0 sweep.
The Eagle's swung to a .439 hitting percentage, led by Mikey Noettl who finished with nine of his teams 37 kills.
OVERVIEW
- Final: Maranatha 0-3 Judson (8-25, 10-25, 26-28)
- Venue: Lindner Center - Judson University
- Location: Elgin, Ill
- Attendance: 80
- Records: MBU (0-13), JU (7-6)
STORY
The Sabercats were slow to start the night as the Judson Eagles jumped out with an eight point run, which only ended due to a service error. Maranatha was unable to make much happen throughout the entirety of the set, only scoring eight points before Judson took the game.
Things went slightly better for Maranatha at the start of the second as they earned their first five points from their opponents errors. But the Eagle's were able to clean up their game to put the Sabercats away 25-10.
The Sabercats were finally able to get something going in set three, as they jumped to an early lead thanks to a kill and an ace from Jacob Valeria. After allowing the Eagle's to take the edge, Daniel Says dished out back-to-back kills to put his team back in the lead (8-7).
With the score 24-21 in Maranatha's favor, it was looking like the Sabercats would extend the night to a fourth set. But the Eagles were able to hold on, producing a four-point run to send the set into extra points and later taking the match with a 28-26 victory.
Maranatha will be shifting their focus to tomorrow, where they hope to earn their first win in their home-opener against Lakeland.
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Maranatha Starters: 6- Goetz, 7- Lacock, 12- Says, 13- Huston, 14- Nason (Libero), 16- Knight, 20- Valeria
STATS
- Last time: Judson swept Maranatha 3-0 on Feb. 4, 2023
- Series: Judson leads 7-0 in the all-time series against Maranatha
OPPONENTS
- Judson competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association (Dl - North Central Region)
- Judson also competes in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (NAIA)
- Judson finished the 2023 season with a record of 21-7
- Judson fell to Saint Xavier in last seasons CCAC Tournament Championship
NEXT
Maranatha returns to Watertown, Wisconsin for their season home opener against Lakeland on February, 16 at 7 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com
