WATERTOWN, Wis. - Marian University men's volleyball (1-0, 0-0 NACC) opened their season with a convincing sweep of Maranatha Baptist with set scores of 25-14, 25-15, and 25-16.

The Sabres opened the evening scoring the first five points of the set and led 9-3 because of their fast start.  The Sabercats would pull to within five before an 8-2 Sabre run gave Marian a 20-9 lead that they took to the end of the set.

Marian was dominant offensively in the second recording 16 kills with only one error for a .652 hitting percentage.  The Sabercats kept things closer at the start trailing only 12-10 before the Sabres put together an 8-3 run to build a commanding 20-13 lead and take the second.

The third set saw a similar 12-10 Marian lead to start but the Sabres would use a 10-3 run immediately following to go up 22-13 and cruise to the sweep.  The Marian defense stepped up in the set forcing 10 Maranatha Baptist errors and holding them to a -.075 hitting percentage.

In his collegiate debut, freshman Derek Wills dominated with a match-high 13 kills.  Sophomores Cam Muller and Marc Rey each hit better than .800 in the victory with Rey recording five kills and Muller seven.  Junior Zach Zelenik assisted on 24 of the 40 Marian kills, while junior Carzell Combs led the back row with a match-high 14 digs.

From the service line, Marian had eight aces with Zelenik, Rey, and junior Jacob Jurney each recording multiple aces.

Marian opens NACC play at home Thursday, Feb. 18 taking on Lakeland for a 7 p.m. first serve.