Lions Protect Home Court Against Trojans

After dropping the season opener on October 4th to the SAIT Trojans in straight sets, the Lions evened up the series on Friday with a 5-set win in the Lions Den. Player of the Game Jeena Johner had 9 kills to go with 3 aces, 1 block and 13 digs, while Trojans POG Elly Prince picked up 17 digs and 35 assists on the night.

In a battle of consistency, both Calgarian teams struggled with passing and serving at different points of the night. The first set was all Ambrose, putting pressure on the Trojans from the service line and opening up a hefty lead that eventually ended the opening frame 25-15 after one of Maddy Williscroft's 14 kills. SAIT struck back in the second set, withstanding several comeback attempts from the Lions after holding a substantial lead for most of the set; a couple of Ambrose hitting errors gave up two points to hand the guests the 28-26 win.

SAIT edged out the Lions in set three, as 3rd year leftside Jadyn Leong picked up steam on offense and helped her team take a 24-21 lead. Leong would also provide the set-winning kill and put her team up two sets to one. The following set saw Ambrose turn up the heat from the service line once again, as contributions from Williscroft, Willow Lewington, and Ali Leskow gave the Lions an 8-point cushion late in the set before a Trojans carry took the game to its final set.

In a much more competitive ending, the crosstown rivals battled to gain the upper hand before the Lions picked up a few key blocks and took a 3 point lead. Those blocks ended up being the difference, as Ambrose took the 5th set 15-12 after a missed Trojans serve to stay undefeated at home. The win also puts the Lions in second place in the South division, 6-2 behind Briercrest in first. Next weekend the Lions face off against the Red Deer Queens, at RDC on Friday and in the Lions Den on Saturday.