MILWAUKEE, Wis.-- This weekend, the Sabercats tested themselves against some formidable opponents from the NCAA Midwest, taking straight-set losses against four powerful teams from the Midwest Conference, CCIW, and NACC programs this weekend at the Raider Invite.

Next week brings another opportunity to conquer an NCAA Midwest foe, as the Sabercats squad turns their attention to Alverno next Tuesday.

OVERVIEW 

• Results:
  • Maranatha 0-3 Ripon (10-25, 13-25, 16-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 MSOE (6-25, 16-25, 16-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 Benedictine (12-25, 8-25, 7-25)
  • Maranatha 0-3 North Central (Ill.) (7-25, 8-25, 11-25)
• Venue: Kern Center - MSOE
• Location: Milwaukee, Wis.
• Event: Raider Invite
• Records: MBU (0-4), RC (4-4), MSOE (1-6), BC (4-4), NC (5-2)

STORY 
Ripon proved to be a challenging opponent this weekend, as they held Maranatha to just 39 points in the opening match of the weekend. Ripon effectively combatted the Sabercats offense with a total of 66 digs, led in double digits by Michaela Riege, Bryn Carlson, and Samantha Differt. The MSOE match was a similar story for the Sabercats, as they fought tirelessly, yet were ultimately held to a max of 16 points in a set.

Saturday brought just as tough of a test for Maranatha, as Benedictine and North Central's unrelenting defense made life difficult for MBU. Both Benedictine and North Central managed to hold the Sabercats to a negative attack percentage while putting down 53 and 59 digs of their own, respectively.

Callie Pittsenbarger led Maranatha's defense with 41 digs on the weekend, while Layla Damotte led the offense with 8 kills.
 

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

STATS

• Ripon
• MSOE
• Benedictine
• North Central
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Ripon series 1-7
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the Hamline series 0-2
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the St. Mary's series 0-3
• All-time Series: Maranatha trails the St. Scholastica series 0-3

OPPONENTS

• Ripon competes in the Midwest Conference (NCAA DIII)
• MSOE and Benedictine compete in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA DIII)
• North Central competes in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (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/calendar.