Lions take down Ooks 26-24 in all 3 sets.
In the First Consolation game the NAIT Ooks faced off against the Ambrose Lions. Both teams losing in straight sets the night previous, hoped to improve their fate on the second day. The game started with the Lions able to gain a small advantage early. The Ooks took the lead with 3 straight going up 5-4 before the Lions responded tying it at 5. The Back and forth game got started with the teams trading serves and side-outs. The Lions were able to open up an advantage going up 13-9 with some great defense before NAIT could respond. The teams got back to trading side-outs as the set passed the midway point. With Ambrose up 16-12, NAIT took their first timeout. The Lions came out of the break to score again and extend the lead to 5. The Ooks started to chip away at this lead right away. As the score climbed, the Ooks trailed 19-21 forcing the Lions to take a timeout. The Lions were able to score the first point but NAIT came right back to tie the set at 22. A second straight ace from Kate Dyck of the Ooks pushed them into the lead up 23-21 forcing Ambrose to take their second timeout. The Lions tied it at 23 before trading side-outs to tie it at 24. The Lions scored on a long rally taking a 25-24 lead which caused the Ooks to take their second timeout. The Lions were able to pull out a sneaky 26-24 first set victory after holding serve.
The Second set opened up with the teams trading side-outs for a quick 2 points before a long rally won by the lions. This really boosted the Lions momentum who scored 2 more to go up 4-1. The Lions added another before the Ooks could respond. Respond they did, rallying quickly to tie the set at 6. The Lions were able to take back some momentum going up 8-6 but the Ooks stayed right with them not letting the momentum build in to a run. The teams started to play a back and forth game again with the score all tied up at 11. The Ooks took their first lead of the set going up 13-12, but were quickly matched on a service error. The Ooks jumped out to a 16-14 lead their largest of the set forcing the Lions to take a timeout. The Lions used the break to regroup and quickly tie the set at 16. The Ooks responded with 3 straight of their own going up 19-16. With another point on a call contested by the Lions bench the Ooks led by 4. The Lions quickly used the contested call to start their comeback, getting the score to 19-20 forcing NAIT to take a timeout. The Lions kept the momentum through the break and tied the set at 20 before taking the lead on the next point. NAIT tied it up and the set was once again close right at the end. An Ace from NAIT's Victoria Ringuette gave them a quick advantage. When the team followed it up with another point putting NAIT up 23-21 the Lions took their second timeout. The Ooks were able to go up 24-22 but the Lions answered and still trailed by one. An attacking error at the end of a long rally saw the set tied at 24 forcing the Ooks to take a timeout. The Lions scored out of the break twice to once again sneak out a 26-24 second set victory.
Down 2-0 the Ooks needed something to happen now if they wanted their weekend to continue. They were able to hold serve for the first point of the set, but the Lions quickly responded. The teams traded serves and side-outs with long rallies sprinkled in to keep it interesting. The Lions were the first to form any advantage going up 8-6 on a big block. Ambrose was able to score 2 more very quickly again going up 10-6. This quick lead forced the Ooks to take a timeout. NAIT started to chip away and make their way back to within 2. The Ooks continued to battle and tied the set at 14. The Lions were able to again put together 2 points to take a 20-18 lead late in the set. A NAIT error and the Lions extended again forcing the Ooks to take their second timeout. The Ooks were able to score right out of the break and quickly scored another to bring the score within one. Another long rally won by the Lions put them up 22-20. NAIT scored 2 quick to tie it at 22. The Lions took their first timeout and looked to once again take a late game lead. they scored 2 quick to go up 24-22 but a service error on set point saw the Ooks down only 1. They tied it at 24 but the Lions earned another chance to serve for the match. They won the 3rd set 26-24 to take a straight set victory.
The ACAC players of the game were Kayla Zazula for NAIT and Vanessa Boone for Ambrose.