Kodaks and Rattlers battle in the Snake Pit
'The Lethbridge Kodiaks headed into the Snake Pit to take on the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. Hoping for another 3 set sweep, the visitors looked to maintain their position in the standings while the Host Rattlers looked to play spoiler. The Rattlers made two mistakes on the first two serves of the set and the Kodiaks took a 2 point lead. From here the Rattlers settled in and started to trade points with the Kodiaks. After 4 trades in serve, the Kodiaks went on a serving streak opening up a 10-5 advantage. Once again the teams settled in to trading points as the score passed the midway point. Down 17-10 the Rattlers took their first timeout in an effort to regroup. This had little effect as the Kodiaks continued to cruise. Lethbridge took the first set 25-14.
The second set opened with both teams trading 2 side outs each. This continued for the next points as well as the teams were knotted at 5. The Rattlers took an ace and the small lead, but the Kodiaks got it back immediately. Neither team could grab the momentum in the back and forth set. The Kodiaks took the first 2 point lead of the set, going up 12-10. They followed it up with another ace and led by 3. The Rattlers quickly got back within one with 2 quick points. The Kodiaks were able to keep their small lead on the next play, but the teams were back to trading points. 2 attacking errors from the Kodiaks saw the Rattlers come all the way back to tie it at 14 before taking the lead on a big block. The Rattlers were able to go up 2 late with the help of some great defence and serving. Another immediate ace saw their lead 18-15 late in the second set. The small Rattler margin held at 2 as the score was 20-18 entering the end of the set. The Kodiaks would not go away and battled back to tie the set at 21. The Rattlers again took the lead going up 24-22. Lethbridge scored, but the Rattlers had a chance to side out for the win. Only needing one shot the Rattlers tied it at one set each winning 25-23.
Once again the teams got started trading serves and points to start the set with no real advantage forming early. The Kodiaks were able to grab momentum first with a series of Ratter errors. Up 13-9 the Kodiaks looked to pull away. The Rattlers had other ideas as they quickly pulled within 2, 14-12. A Kodiak attacking error saw Medicine Hat down only one, but Lethbridge finally responded keeping their lead at 2. The Kodiaks once again pulled away with 2 straight, going up 18-14 and forcing the Rattlers to take a timeout. The Kodiaks were able to maintain their lead entering the late stages of the set. Able to take the third set the Kodiaks won 25-17 taking a 2-1 lead.
The Kodiaks jumped out to a 5-1 lead to start the set thanks to 4 straight aces. Another devensive play added to their lead. MHC finally broke serve down 8-2. The teams started trading serves once again as both sides were starting to convert. The Kodiaks again started to pull away going up 15-8. But the Rattlers responded with a big block looking to change the momentum. The Kodiaks however were too much extending their lead 20-11. With the match all but over, the Rattlers brought in subs down by 10. The Kodiaks were simply too much in the final set and took set 25-14 and a 3 sets to 1 win.