Queens and Rattlers Thrill in Entertaining affair.

The Red Deer Queens ventured south for a match up against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. The Rattlers were using this weekend to take part in the initiative "make some noise for mental health". Going in to the weekend the Queens held a slim 2 point lead on the Rattlers for the final playoff spot in the South. The battle that would come, would help decide who would make the post season. The first set opened with teams trading side-outs early. some well disguised offence from both sides were able to find holes early. the Rattlers took an early advantage thanks to some solid blocking up front. Jumping out to an 8-3 lead before Red Deer could counter with a point of their own. Building on this momentum, the Queen started to battle back narrowing the Rattler lead to 2, 9-7. A Rattlers error on the set allowed the Queens back within one, eventually tying the first set at 9. With this, the Rattlers used their first timeout. Coming out of the timeout the Red Deer squad was able to maintain their momentum scoring a big kill. The Home side countered right back able to re tie the set. The teams settled in and started trading points. Back to back Rattler errors opened up a small Queens advantage as they held serve. Some long rallies throughout the set saw both sides red in the face and breathing heavier than usual for a first set. This seemed to be to the visitors advantage as they stretched their lead to 4. With the score 19-15, the Rattlers used their second timeout. The Queens dug up almost every Rattler attack and continued to pad their lead. With the Queens lead 5, the Rattlers attempted a last minute comeback. This fell short as the Queens were able to close out the first set 25-19.

The second set started with the Queens opening up a 3-1 lead. The home side was able to come back quickly and tie the set at 4. Medicine Hat was not quite as effective attacking without a few big offensive weapons. Their kills not as crisp and as a result the Queens Defense was passing up many Rattler attacks. This defense was so far the story of the game. The Rattlers started to overcome this defense thanks to some impressive disguised attacks and setter dumps. The Medicine Hat side pulled into the lead as the Set approached the halfway point. As the score climbed the teams returned to trading points until the Queens once again pulled ahead thanks to some impressive serving from Jane Van Dyke. 3 straight, and the Queens had added to their lead. 18-15 read on the score clock and Medicine Hat took their first timeout, hoping to close the gap and take a lead late in the set. This did not happen as the teams traded side outs twice. A block from the Rattlers Meagan Hoeber, followed by two errors gave the home side hope as they tied the Game at 20. A net violation on the next point saw the Rattlers take the lead. This lead was brief as the Queens scored the next two to take back their lead. They continued to stay ahead thanks to fantastic passing. The Queens finished off the set 25-22 and took a 2 sets to none lead.

The third set started again with the Queens taking an early 3-0 lead. The Rattlers battled back quickly to tie the set at 3. They continued to roll scoring the next two as well. After scoring 5 straight, the Rattlers gave up the serve on a service error. The teams started to settle in and the sides again went back to trading points and serves. This continued as the score passed the halfway point in the set. A much more balanced set, teams were simply trading points as opposed to runs. The first time the Rattlers held serve and took a 2 point lead the Queens took their first timeout. The Rattlers were the team to gain the advantage on the timeout improving their lead to 5 out of the break. the Queens were able to battle back to bring the score within 2. With the Rattlers leading 23-20 they hoped to close out the set with 2 quick points. Molly Marie served 2 straight to help the Rattlers take the Set 25-10. The Rattlers still trailed 2 sets to one.

The fourth set started much like the third with the Queens jumping out to a 3-0 lead. From here, the teams traded side-outs as they settled back in. Medicine Hat was able to find their groove and tied the set at 6. As quickly as they tied the match, Red Deer was able to retake their lead. The Queens held a 3 point margin again as the set approached the midway. The Rattlers were again able to come back and tie the set at 13. Another 2 points from blocks, and the Rattlers found themselves in the lead 15-13. As the momentum stayed with the home side, Medicine Hat extended their lead, 17-14. This forced Red Deer to take another timeout. Coming out of the timeout the Queens committed another hitting error before finally breaking Medicine Hat's serve. They were able to follow this up with a big block forcing the Home side to take a timeout. The score 18-16 Medicine Hat leading. The Queens were able to score twice straight out of the timeout tying the set at 18. Another dig and kill, and the Queens had taken back the lead and the momentum. This saw the Medicine Hat bench take their second timeout. As the score climbed above 20 the Ratters were able to tie the set again at 21. The Queens scored the next 2 able to gain a stranglehold on the set. The Rattlers battled back late but it was too little as the Queens won 25-23 and 3 sets to 1.

ACAC Players of the Game:

RDC: Natalie Bloemen

MHC: Molly Marie