LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The Sabercats forced two sets into a tie in their penultimate match of the season, playing some of their best volleyball all season on the day of the season finale, ultimately falling in straight sets to Calumet College of St. Joseph before falling in three to Viterbo.
The losses wrap up a winless season for the Sabercats; a full recap of the 2025 season will be forthcoming at mbusabercats.com.
OVERVIEW
- Final:
- Maranatha 0-3 Calumet (14-25, 24-26, 24-26)
- Maranatha 0-3 Viterbo (11-25, 14-25, 17-25)
- Venue: R.W. Beggs, Sr. Gymnasium, Viterbo University
- Location: La Crosse, Wis.
- Records: MBU (0-18), CCSJ (5-11), VU (4-22)
STORY
The Calumet Crimson Wave came firing right out of the gate, posting 9 kills in the opening set. A couple of early blocks from Calumet forced some second-guessing from the Sabercats' hitters, who combined for 9 hitting errors in the opening frame.
The Crimson Wave was slightly less powerful in the second set, as Calumet recorded 8 attack errors while Maranatha put down 7 kills. A huge kill late in the set from Yinghao Sun capped off a 4-1 run for the Sabercats, tying the set at 23 points before Calumet held on for the win. It was the second set this season that the Sabercats had forced into a tie, and the fighting spirit that characterized the Sabercats all season was once again showing itself.
The Calumet hitters were thrown off their game in the third set, as half of the Sabercats' points came from Calumet miscues. But the Crimson Wave pulled it together with the set on the line, putting down three kills for their final three points to seal the match.
The Sabercats' final match of the season was more one-sided than they would have liked, as the hosting V-Hawks defended their home court with determination. The V-Hawks held Maranatha to just 7 kills in the math while registering 34, taking a dominant offensive performance all the way to the finish in the closing match of the Viterbo Tri, and the closing match of the season for the Sabercats.
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Maranatha Starters: 1- Sun, 4- Johnson, 6- Goetz, 12- Bellrichard, 14- Jones, 17- McCarty (Libero), 20- Scott (C)
STATISTICS
- Box Score (Calumet)
- Box Score (Viterbo)
- Last time: Calumet swept Maranatha twice in 2022.
- Last time: Viterbo swept Maranatha in 2024.
- Series: Calumet leads 3-0 in the all-time series against Maranatha.
- Series: Viterbo leads 12-0 in the all-time series against Maranatha.
OPPONENTS
- Calumet and Viterbo compete in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (NAIA)
NEXT
A full recap of the season will be forthcoming at mbusabercats.com.
