LEAD
ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Sabercats were out-gunned at the Adrian Triangular Saturday, taking straight-set losses to Adrian and Olivet in a two-match weekend.
Isaiah Johnson led the Sabercats' attack with 10 kills on the day, while Josiah Scott (24 assists) and Caleb Goetz (12 digs) led the rest of the way for Maranatha.
OVERVIEW
- Final:
- Maranatha 0-3 Adrian (16-25, 13-25, 7-25)
- Maranatha 0-3 Olivet (14-25, 17-25, 16-25)
- Venue: Merillat Sport and Fitness Center - Adrian College
- Location: Adrian, Mich.
- Event: Adrian Triangular
- Records: MBU (0-4), AC (2-5), OU (2-6)
STORY
The Adrian Bulldogs came out of the gate swinging, compiling just over half their points from kills in the first set. The Bulldogs repeated 13-kill total in the opening act with another 13 in the third frame, and they finished the match with 35 total. The hosts swung at a clip of .338 throughout the match while stifling the Sabercats offensively.
For the hosts, Jahryck Muliagatele kept the offense running with 25 assists while Rolen Maclin and Sam Landers led the defense with 13 and 15 digs, respectively. Zach Molnar led Adrian with 7 kills and Landers, Beck Fieldhouse, and Nathan Webster all pitched in 6 kills apiece. For Maranatha, Isaiah Johnson had 5 kills to lead the attack, while Josiah Scott (12 assists) and Caleb Goetz (7 digs) contributed in the straight-set loss.
The Sabercats were more dangerous in their match with the Olivet Comets, posting just over 15 points per set. Olivet was almost perfect in the opening set, registering just one error on the attack while posting a tidy 14 kills. Andy Hok was the main character for the Comets as he registered 13 kills and 11 digs - both team-high marks - in the three-set match. Yinghao Sun and Isaiah Johnson kept things moving for Maranatha with 5 kills apiece while Scott (12 assists) and Goets (5 digs) continued their steady contributions for the Blue and Gold.
Olivet stayed consistent throughout, posting double-digit kills in each set while holding the Sabercats to 15 in the match.
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Maranatha Starters: 4- Johnson, 6- Goetz (C), 8, Kermott, 12- Bellrichard, 14- Jones, 17- McCarty (Libero), 20- Scott (C)
STATISTICS (Two matches combined)
- I. Johnson: 10 K, 9 DIGS, 3 SA
- Y. Sun: 8 K, 5 DIGS
- J. Scott: 24 AST
- C. Goetz: 12 DIGS
- Last time: Adrian swept Maranatha 3-0 on Feb. 3, 2024
- Series: Adrian now leads 7-0 in the all-time series against Maranatha
- Last time: Maranatha swept Olivet 3-0 on January 31, 2020
- Series: Olivet now leads 2-1 in the all-time series against Maranatha
OPPONENTS
- Adrian competes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Dlll)
- Adrian finished the 2024 season with a record of 16-12
- Olivet competes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Dlll)
- Olivet finished the 2024 season with a record of 5-25
- Adrian and Olivet also both compete in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League
NEXT
Maranatha travels to DePere, Wisconsin on Friday, February 7 to face St. Norbert at 7 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com
