MILWAUKEE, Wis.-- The Sabercats had their hands full this weekend at the Blue Angel Bash, falling to four NCAA DIII opponents amidst signs of promise at Mount Mary University.

The Sabercats will switch gears to focus on next weekend and the Ripon College Classic in Ripon, Wisconsin, facing five more Division III schools before the Faith Classic September 20-21.

OVERVIEW 

• Results:
  • Maranatha 0-3 Ripon (13-25, 21-25, 13-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 Bluffton (8-25, 8-25, 11-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 Lawrence (9-25, 9-25, 10-25)
  • Maranatha 1-3 Alverno (19-25, 14-25, 25-23, 15-25)
• Venue: Bloechl Center - Mount Mary University
• Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
• Event: Mount Mary Blue Angel Bash
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (0-4), RC (3-2), BU (5-1), AC (2-3)

STORY 

After giving the hosts a run for their money in the second set of the opening match, the Sabercats weathered the storm against the powerful Bluffton Beavers and the precise Lawrence University Vikings. The Beavers put down 38 kills in three sets while attacking at a clip of .452, and Lawrence had their way with a tidy .421 attack percentage. 

But even after the straight-set losses, the Sabercats stayed with it and grinded out a set against Alverno. Back-to-back aces from Megan Miller won the set for the Sabercats, who dialed their rotation just when it mattered most. Miller's aces came just before Alverno had the last laugh, though - the Inferno had their best set of the day in the final frame, taking home the win 25-15.

Tessa Hinze led Maranatha with 24 kills on the weekend. Miller defended to the tune of 44 digs while passing a .857 serve receive (63 attempts). Eileen Botha dished out 43 assists in her debut weekend in Blue and Gold.

Botha, Andi Adams, Lilly Broere, and Megan Anderson all recorded their debuts for Maranatha on the weekend.

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

STATS

• Ripon
• Bluffton
• Lawrence
• Alverno
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Ripon series 1-5
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Bluffton series 0-2 (first meeting since 2002)
• All-time Series: Maranatha leads the Lawrence series 15-4
• All-time Series: Maranatha leads the Alverno series 28-2

OPPONENTS

• Ripon and Lawrence compete in the Midwest Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Bluffton competes in the Heartland Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Alverno competes in the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference

NEXT

The Sabercats return to Watertown, where they will face Mount Mary on Monday at 7:00 P.M. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/schedule.