ANKENY, Iowa -- The Sabercats clashed with multiple high-powered teams this weekend at the Faith Invitational, coming away with no match wins, but their first set win of the season.

OVERVIEW 

• Results:
  • Maranatha 0-3 #6 Faith (16-25, 15-25, 12-25)
  • Maranatha 1-3 North Central (Minn.) (18-25, 15-25, 25-8, 19-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 Crown (Minn.) (8-25, 9-25, 11-25)
• Venue: Nettleton Center - Faith Baptist Bible College
• Location: Ankeny, Iowa
• Event: Faith Invite
• Records: MBU (0-10), FBBC (7-3), NCU (3-3), CC (3-4)

STORY 
In the first match of the weekend, the Sabercats struggled to find their footing as they went head to head against the 6th ranked Faith Eagles. With multiple hard-hitters on attack, the Eagles proved to be a force the Sabercats couldn't contain. The Eagles swept the Sabercats in a straight set win.

The second match proved to be a different story. After a shaky start in the first and second sets, the Sabercats came out swinging in the third set, as they went on an 8 point run before the North Central Rams could get on the scoreboard. Racking up a score of 18-1, the Sabercats refused to be stopped, powered by a well-balanced offense. With a final score of 25-8, the Sabercats stole their first set of the season. The Rams came back with vengeance in the fourth set, as they went on to win the match 3-1. Kindra Smith was an offensive powerhouse, totaling 14 kills on the match, as Emma Scalzitti dished out 11 assists.

On Saturday afternoon, the Sabercats faced off against the 5th ranked Crown Polars, which proved to be their most challenging opponent of the weekend. Although the Sabercats improved their score as sets processed, the Polars doubled the Sabercats' kill count, while keeping errors at a minimum. The Polars completed a straight set sweep, denying the Sabercats another set win for the seekend.

MBU Starters: 3- Scalzitti, 6- Botha, 7- Pittsenbarger (Libero), 13- Broere, 14- Anderson, 15- Smith, 17- Damotte

STATS

• Faith
• North Central
• Crown
• All-time Series: Maranatha leads the Faith series 10-3
• All-time Series: Maranatha leads the North Central series 10-6
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Crown series 4-1

OPPONENTS

• Faith competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference (NCCAA DII)
• North Central and Crown compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Emmaus University next Friday for a 7:00 p.m. start time in Dubuque, Iowa. Follow all the action at mbusabercats.com/calendar.