Rattlers Sweep Lions
The Ambrose Lions headed into the Snake Pit coming off a 5 sets loss to the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. The Rattlers returned home hoping to string together back to back wins to elevate their position in the standings. The Rattlers needed to make up some points to move back in to a playoff spot. The first set started with the Rattlers blocking the Lions first attack. A solo block from the Rattlers captain Alfred Dalevik on the next play set the tone in the gym. The Rattlers rang off 5 straight to start the game and open up an early lead. This forced the Ambrose bench to take a timeout. The Rattlers came out of the time out and continued to dominate early. the time out settled the Lions as they were able to score on their next two side-outs. The Rattlers however, continued strong defense and were able to finish on their offensive opportunities. As the Rattlers passed the halfway point and scored their 15th, the Lions were stuck at 6. This large lead forced the Lions to take their second timeout. This calmed the Ambrose team again as they were able to force back to back side-outs. The set levelled out as the teams traded serves and points. The Lions setter, Ryan Andres stepped in to serve 3 straight to close the lead to 6. the Rattlers started to find their groove again and again extended their lead. Their attack was too much for the Lions to handle and the Rattlers cruised to a first set victory 25-14.
The second set started with Ambrose coming up with a big block for the first point. They followed this up with a serving error levelling the set at 1. An Ace from Edvard Nordlund gave the Rattlers back the advantage. A more even set early, the teams traded side-outs with neither holding an advantage. A break through came at 4 when the Home side scored 3 straight to take the lead. 7-4 Rattlers, the Lions burned their first timeout early. The timeout did nothing if not solidify the Rattlers advantage who increased the lead to 6. After another 2 points the Rattlers held a 13-5 lead forcing Ambrose to again burn a timeout in an effort to stop the momentum. Unfortunately for Ambrose this did not work as Alfred Dalevik served an Ace for the Rattlers right out of the break. The Rattlers continued to dominate as the set wore on. As the Rattlers had full control they relaxed for a few plays and allowed the Lions to score 3, still not enough as the Rattlers still held a 6 point advantage. More errors and sloppy play from the Lions side saw any momentum they had disappear. The Rattlers now turned to their bench to finish off the set. Even with the bench on the Rattlers finished off the Lions 25-14 and lead 2 sets to none.
The third and deciding set was at hand. Medicine Had only needed to win one more and the Lions needed a win to stay alive. The set opened with the Rattlers scoring on a big Kill. They gave it right back however with a service error. Teams traded errors in the early part of the set neither able to settle in to the set. The Lions were the first to find their offence able to score 4 straight to lead 6-2. Finally on a big kill from the Rattlers they started to click. This was matched by the Lions as teams again started to trade side-outs. A scramble play that the Rattlers came out on top seemed to change the energy in the gym. This was quickly sapped as the Lions continued to hold off the Rattlers comeback attempts. The game moved into the middle of the set, and the Lions held a 4 point lead. They extended this lead to 6 thanks to sloppy play from the Rattlers. This forced the Medicine Hat side to take their first timeout of the evening. This did not do much as teams continued to trade serves and points. If something was going to happen in the way of a comeback it would have to happen quick. With Zach Frank serving, the Rattlers scored 3 points and closed the gap to 2. The start of a comeback forced the Lions to take a timeout in an effort to maintain their lead. The Lions scored the first point coming out of the timeout and quickly stopped the Rattlers from finishing the comeback. This was not enough as the Rattlers came back to tie it at 19. After an Ambrose error the Rattlers led 20-19 forcing the Lions to take another timeout. An Ace from Edvard Nordlund saw the Rattlers lead grow to 2 very late in the set. The Rattlers were able to close out the set 25-23 and sweep the Weekend with the Lions.
ACAC Players of the Game:
Ambrose Lions: Adam Morris
Medicine Hat Rattlers: Keandre Evans