RIPON, Wis.-- The Sabercats continue to test themselves with some of the best opponents in the NCAA Midwest, taking straight-set losses against four powerful Midwest Conference and MIAC programs this weekend at the Ripon College Classic.

Next weekend brings the Sabercats' first NCCAA opportunity, as the squad will turn their attention Faith Baptist Bible College next Friday and Saturday for a four-match NCCAA weekend.

OVERVIEW 

• Results:
  • Maranatha 0-3 Ripon (10-25, 7-25, 15-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 Hamline (9-25, 15-25, 10-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 St. Mary's (11-25, 12-25, 12-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 St. Scholastica (9-25, 14-25, 14-25)
• Venue: Weiske Gymnasium - Ripon College
• Location: Ripon, Wis.
• Event: Ripon College Classic
• Records: MBU (0-8), RC (6-3), HU (5-1), SMU (7-5), CSS (5-6)

STORY 

Ripon proved to be even more difficult to beat then they were last weekend, as they held Maranatha to just 32 points in the opening match of the weekend. Ripon was riding the momentum of protecting their home floor, swinging their way to the straight-set sweep with 43 kills, led in double digits by Ellie Ove and Makenna Harren. The Hamline match was a similar story for the Sabercats, who battled MIAC mainstays Hamline in the second match of the day. Like Ripon, Hamline held the Sabercats to a max of 15 points in a set.

Saturday brought just as tough of a test for Maranatha, as St. Mary's and St. Scholastica scrappy defending made life hard for MBU. St. Mary's held Maranatha to a negative attack percentage while putting down 42 kills of their own, and St. Scholastica showcased their balanced and deep bench to round out the weekend for Maranatha.

Tessa Hinze led Maranatha with 26 kills on the weekend, putting up a weekend-best nine kills against St. Scholastica, while Eileen Botha distributed 40 assists and had 16 digs. Megan Miller led the defense with 39 digs on the weekend.
 

MBU Starters: 6- Botha, 7- Malmanger, 9- Hinze, 11- Adams, 13- Broere, 14- Anderson, 22- Miller (C) (Libero)

STATS

• Ripon
• Hamline
• St. Mary's
• St. Scholastica
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Ripon series 1-6
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Hamline series 0-1
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the St. Mary's series 0-2
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the St. Scholastica series 0-2

ALL-TOURNAMENT
Megan Miller was named to the all-tournament team.

OPPONENTS

• Ripon competes in the Midwest Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Hamline, St. Scholastica, and St. Mary's compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Alverno College on Tuesday for a 7:00 p.m. start time in Milwaukee. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.