LEAD

PLYMOUTH, Wis. -- Maranatha's 2025 men's volleyball season kicked off in full swing last Friday with a triangular match in Plymouth, Wisconsin, between Lakeland and The University of Olivet. With seven returners, the Sabercats have experience on their side going into this season.

Despite a 3-set sweeping loss to Lakeland, Maranatha showed improvement late in the day as they took the third set from the University of Olivet.

OVERVIEW

• Final: 
  • Maranatha 0-3 Lakeland (25-13, 11-25, 14-25)
  • Maranatha 1-3 University of Olivet (25-10, 25-22, 20-25, 25-22)
• Venue: Woltzen Gymnasium - Lakeland University
• Location: Plymouth, Wis.
• Event: Lakeland Triangular
• Records: MBU (0-2), LU (3-3), UO (1-2)

STORY
The Sabercats held with the Muskies in the opening points of the game, taking the lead, 5-4. Then the Sabercats went cold as several errors gave Lakeland the upper hand. The first match would end 13-25, giving Lakeland a 1-set lead. Both of the next two sets would have a very similar product, as the Muskies finished out the match 25-11 and 25-14

In the Sabercats' second match of the day, Olivet gifted the Sabercats two errors, making the score 2-0 in the Sabercats' favor, but Olivet's charity didn't last long. Olivet would allow Maranatha to score only 8 more points in the set, securing the win, 25-10.

But Maranatha proved through the next two sets that they were not going to let Olivet take the match that easily. Despite still falling in the end, the Sabercats put up a good fight in the second set, taking full advantage of some of Olivet's sloppy play throughout the set. Olivet would still manage to take this set by a slim margin of 25-22.

The third set brought the elusive set win that the Sabercats had been on the hunt for. Assisted by three early set errors from Olivet, the Sabercats would take a 4-0 lead. The Sabercats denied Olivet a chance to get into any sort of rhythm and took the set win, 25-20, thanks to a well-rounded offense that sent a spiking barrage to Olivet's side of the court.

The Sabercats would not fare as well in the fourth set. Despite a late-game comeback push, it just wasn't quite enough to get over the finish line. Olivet took the final set of the match 25-22.
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Maranatha Starters:  1- Sun, 5- Jones, 10- Kermott, 12- Bellrichard, 13- Brendel, 17- McCarty (Libero), 20- Scott

STATISTICS (Two matches combined)

• Last time: Lakeland swept Maranatha 3-0 on Jan. 24, 2025
• Series: Lakeland leads 7-0 in the all-time series against Maranatha
• Last time: University of Olivet swept Maranatha 3-0 on Feb. 1, 2025 
• Series: Univeristy of Olivet leads 2-0 in the all-time series against Maranatha 
• Scott: 23A, 6D, 1SA 
• Brendel: 12D, 5K, 1SA 
• Sun: 9D, 6K, 2SA 
• Johnson: 8K, 2D
• Jones: 7K, 5D, 1SA
• Bellrichard: 5D, 2K, 3SA, 1A

OPPONENTS

• Lakeland competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Lakeland finished the 2025 season with a record of 7-17
• The University of Olivet competes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA Dlll)
• The University of Olivet finished the 2025 season with a record of 3-21

NEXT

The Sabercats will return to Plymouth next Friday for a rematch with the Muskies on January 23 at 2:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com