Lions Lose To Rattlers in Home Opener

The Ambrose Lions couldn't find the antidote for a well-rounded Medicine Hat squad on Friday night, falling in four sets in the Lions Den. 3rd year Lions rightside Graeson Bergen (8 kills, 2 aces) was awarded Player of the Game honours, while Med Hat libero Austyn Ducharme was his team's POG.

The first two sets shared identical scorelines: equally dominant 25-15 finishes in favour of the Rattlers. Unforced errors from the Lions made it impossible to make a comeback on Medicine Hat, who controlled the game with strong blocking and consistent offense. KeAndre Evans led the visitors offensively with 8 kills, while middle Zach Frank put up an impressive 6 blocks on the night. Despite Bergen's consistency from the service line and scrappy defense from Adrian Strandberg and Carter McLenahan, the Lions couldn't crack the armour of the visitors until the third set.

The Lions found their fight in the third, keeping it close and tying the score 12-12. A 5-0 run, led by the serve of Bergen, gave the Lions the cushion they needed down the stretch as the Rattlers fought back to make it 23-24 for the home team. A tip out of the middle from Brodie Juul-Hansen sealed up the set as the Lions took the game to four sets.

Midway through the final set the score remained close, thanks in large part to a litany of errors from both teams. Late in the game it was the Rattlers who found a way to score and put together a crucial end-game run, combining Lions errors and Rattlers kills to extend their lead and win 25-18.

Now 0-2, the Lions will try to find their way into the win column Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm in Medicine Hat. At home in the Snake Pit and currently 3-0, the Rattlers will try to remain undefeated.