Kodiaks come back from 2 sets down to win.
After a Quick Break the Lethbridge Kodiaks played Host to the Kings Eagles at the Snake Pit at Medicine Hat College. The Eagles came out fast scoring 3 quick points to open the game. The Kodiaks did not Falter quickly coming back to match the Eagles score. The Eagles Defence was strong early coming up with a huge block, and receiving a warning for celebration early in the set. The Kodaks battled back to tie the set at 12, but could not snatch momentum for themselves. Fueled by solid offence, both teams were usually making kills on their first chance leading to a back and forth game. 3 huge digs followed by a kill appeared to swing the momentum towards the Kodiaks favor. The Eagles coach called an immediate timeout to try and stem the bleed. This did not help initially, and the Kodiaks scored 2 more and the Kings coach called another. Now down by 4, The Kings battled back with some incredible digs getting close and tying the game at 25. They took the Lead and Won the first 27-25 Stealing the first set from the Kodiaks.
The Second set started similar to how the first did, with unforced errors and teams trading points back and forth early. Offence continued to be the driving factor in the match as both teams failed to set up any effective blocks. Blocks were getting blown through or used on almost every point and blocks were the biggest momentum changers. A tight set through and through, both teams were playing well and not committing too many errors. The Kings Eagles opened a small 3 point lead midway through the set, going up 16-13. The teams responded with a long rally won by the Eagles and a timeout from the Kodiaks. The Eagles came out of the break with a huge roof block from Brendan Vanderline to extend the lead. The Kodiaks came back with solid serving from Dax Whitehead to bring the Kodiaks within one. With their opponents so close behind the Eagles called a timeout in an effort to keep their lead. The Kings responded to the break with two quick points, maintaining their lead. A close call on a tip that hit the ground saw the Eagles keep their two point lead late. Up 24-22 the Eagles attempted to serve out the set. A hard serve was handled by the Kodiaks and converted to keep their slim hopes alive. It was too late as the Eagles Finished off their set with a 25-23 win.
Facing elimination, the Kodiaks came out guns blazing in the Third set. Up 6-1 early, The Kodiaks forced the Eagles to take their first timeout. The Kodiaks continued to hold this 6 point lead as they worked their way up through the third set. The Kodaks were content to maintain this cushion and simply keep the Eagles at arms length. The Kodiaks offence continued to dominate with the Kings smaller front row in rotation. Down by 8 the Eagles refused to quit, fighting and diving for every ball. This was too little too late as the Kodiaks completed the Rout 25-16 forcing a fourth set.
As the 3rd set was ending an entourage of Kodiak athletes entered the gym changing the entire atmosphere of the Snake Pit. The Lethbridge fans erupted every time the Kodiaks scored or made a defensive play. This helped the Kodiaks erupt to a 5-1 lead forcing the Eagles to take a timeout. As the Fans grew louder in support of the Kodiaks the Eagles could not silence the Raucous crowd. The Kodiaks rode Carter Hansen and his hot hand to get out to a 19-10 lead. The Kodiaks continued to lead and use the crowd to fuel them. The cheering section provided an injection of energy that the Kodiaks lacked in the first two sets, allowing their talent to take over eventually taking a 25-16 win.
The 5th and deciding set opened up with the Kodiaks taking the first point. Hoping not to fall behind, The Eagles answered with a big point of their own. Lethbridge Hoped to keep their momentum built up throughout the game. The Eagles used some big defensive plays along with an unforced error from Lethbridge to take a small lead. The Kodiaks fought back with three straight to comeback and take a 8-6 lead into the court change. The Eagles Fought back to tie the set at 10. The Kodiaks were able to stay one step ahead with the score inching up the scoreboard. The last point saw Lethbridge serve out the match to complete the comeback winning 15-13 and 3 sets to 2.