Rattlers Bite Lions for a second time

The Ambrose Lions headed back to Medicine Hat for their second game there in 3 days. The Rattlers were hoping for the same result as the last time the Lions were in town, while the Lions hoped for the result from their home match. The first set started with the Lions getting out to a 6-3 lead early thanks to some Rattler errors. The Lions held their lead as the score climbed, filled with service errors on each side. The Rattlers were able to string 3 points together to tie the set at 13 thanks to some long rallies and solid blocking Medicine Hat was able to use their momentum to open up an 18-15 lead forcing the Lions to take a timeout. The Rattlers were able to keep the Lions at bay, keeping them just out of striking distance late into the first set. Now 21-18 Ambrose took their second timeout. The Rattlers kept their momentum out of the break adding 2 more before the Lions could answer. Up 24-20 the Rattlers took their first timeout. Lions held serve on the first but the Rattlers quickly took a 25-21 first set victory. 

The second set started with a long rally won by the Rattlers, but a quick sideout from each side got the set started. Still tied at 5, both teams looked for a break in the other's defence. The first break came from Medicine Hat. The Lions were able to get 3 straight to open up a lead as the teams neared the midway point of the set. The Rattlers staged a quick comeback tying it up at 11 with 2 big blocks. The Rattlers were able to score back to back aces to take a 15-14 lead forcing the Lions to take a timeout. Medicine Hat continued to ride their momentum going up 18-15 and forcing the Lions to take a timeout. The Rattlers came out of the break scoring again and coming up with a huge block for a 5 point lead. The Lions were able to respond but the Rattlers held a large lead late in the set. The Lions were able to score 2 quick points and reduce the deficit to 2, 21-19 resulting in a Medicine Hat timeout. The Lions continued their roll going up 22-21 with 3 straight before the Rattlers could tie it at 22. The side-outs continued and the Lions had a chance to serve for the set but another error extended the set. A Rattler ace gave them the chance to serve for the set in turn. Coming up with a huge block the Rattlers took the second set 26-24 taking a 2-0 lead. 

The Third set started much like the first two with both teams trading side-outs to start the set. No real advantage forming right at the start of the set. The Rattlers started to gain some momentum going up 11-8 before another huge block put them up by another. The Lions bench turned to the timeout in order to attempt to right the ship. The Rattlers added another out of the break thanks to a Lions error. The proceed to kill a party ball and win a point off the face of a teammate to go up 15-8. Adding another point on a Lions error the Rattlers doubled the Lions 16-8. The Rattlers came out of the break striking twice more before the Lions could answer. The Lions were able to string 3 together and this saw the Rattlers take their first timeout. Now 18-14, the Lions had gained some momentum back only trailing by 4. The Rattlers finally got a quick side-out and looked to expand their lead once again. A quick ace helped this cause but the Lions were able to quickly respond. Medicine Hat would not give an inch quickly responding and going up 23-16. The Lions quickly scored 3 again to close the lead late in the set. A service error from the Lions gave the Rattlers a chance to serve for the match but the lions spoiled that. The Rattlers took a timeout up 24-20 forcing the server to sit and think. The Lions scored one more but the Rattlers put it away in straight sets, 25-21