MVB | Kodiaks tame Lions in straight sets

Jan. 5, 2018 – Fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot in the ultra-tight ACAC south division, the Kodiaks know there won't be much room for slip-ups in the second half of their season.

Opening 2018 with a match against the 2-8 Ambrose Lions on Friday night, the Kodiaks knew they couldn't take their opponent lightly despite their unsightly record.

In the end, the Kodiaks managed to take care of business in straight sets, defeating the Lions 25-18, 25-22, 25-17.

Despite the score, the Lions made sure the Kodiaks were full marks for their victory. Lethbridge struggled to create separation in the opening two frames, only managing to pull away and take control late in each set.

Both teams showed a bit of holiday rust in the opening set, with the Kodiaks hitting for just .167 and the Lions committing eleven hitting errors.

Lethbridge was the team able to find their stride, however, especially in a dominant third set where they struck for 16 kills with just a single error.

Carter Hansen, who entered the game leading the ACAC in kills with 177, tallied nine kills for the Kodiaks.

Teammate Dax Whitehead, who was honoured before the game for breaking the Kodiaks all-time kills record before the break, captured 11 kills and had four service aces.

Tony Albizzati was named the Kodiaks player of the game, striking for eight kills and seven digs.

Keaton Strom led the Lions offensively with a game high 15 kills while also adding ten digs, and was named Ambrose's player of the game.

The teams will be back at it in Calgary tomorrow night to complete the home-and-home weekend set at the Ambrose Lions Den. Match time is set for 8 p.m. and can be seen on ACAC.tv.

Players of the Game
Lethbridge - #1 Tony Albizzati (Eight kills, seven digs)
Ambrose - #13 Keaton Strom (15 kills, ten digs)