Lions upset by Broncos

Tonight's match-up saw the 1-8 Lions challenge the 0-6 Broncos.  Since entering the ACAC, the Lions and Broncos have always played each other tough and tonight was no different.  Mounting injuries along with a level of play that they won't be proud of resulting in Olds winning their first game of the season (and first ACAC regular season game in nearly 3 years). 

Right from the first serve, Olds played with a confidence not usually seen with a team that has yet to win a regular season game.   They forced Ambrose to be sharp in their attacking and when they weren't, capitalized defensively with a strong presence at the net.

All night the Walkingbear brothers (Thundersky & Ryzen) worked to shut down the Lions outside hitters and came up with big stuff blocks when they needed it. 

In the 2^nd set, Olds started to exploit the mismatch in the middle that they had.  With both Lions middles unable to play due to injury, the Broncos could key on the Lions outside hitters.  Throughout the night, the Lions proved that when in trouble they would rely on Left Side Hitter, Josh Nickel, however it wasn't his best night tonight has he had 13 hitting errors to his 10 kills.

Once the Olds Broncos won the 2^nd set, they never gave the Lions a chance to regain the momentum.  Olds played extremely confident.  They weren't scared to make mistakes, but rather played with a lot of energy and excitement.  They easily won the 3^rd set 25-15 however were tested in the forth.

After taking the lead in the 4^th set, the Lions made things interesting at the end.  Down 16-11 in the 4^th set, the Lions called their second timeout of the set.  A strong serving run by Adrian Strandberg brought the Lions back to even at 22-22.  In the end, a couple attacking errors sealed Ambrose's fate, falling 25-23. 

Player of the game awards were presented to Adrian Strandberg for Ambrose and Thomas Pugsley the setter for the Olds Broncos.