Kodiaks fall to Rattlers in Snake Pit
The Lethbridge Kodiaks headed to Medicine Hat to face the Rattlers in the back half of a home and home. Taking a 3 set victory the night previous, The Rattlers hoped for the same result on home court. Starting off very quickly the home side jumped out to an 8-1 lead. This forced the Kodiaks to use an early timeout. They took advantage of the break storming back into the set getting the score to 8-9 before the Rattlers again created a gap. This time only a small margin, the Rattlers held a 13-10 lead as the set hit the midway point. The Kodiaks continued to chip away as the score slowly climbed with the teams trading points. They again got within one 15-16 before the rattlers again pulled away scoring 4 straight making it 20-15. The teams went back to trading points until the Rattlers again scored in bunches and put the first set away 25-18.
The second set started with the teams trading points to start the set. Neither team held an advantage as the score was tied at 5 early. the Kodiaks went on a 5 point serving streak and were able to pull ahead 11-6. This forced the Rattlers to take an early timeout. This seemed to ignite a spark as the Rattlers started to close the gap before the Kodiaks again started to score. The home side found themselves in a big hole down 17-11, with not much time to mount a comeback, it would have to happen quick. Lethbridge had other ideas as they were able to score again to extend their lead further. The Rattlers started to claw back in the set late making it more interesting but the Kodiaks were able to maintain their lead taking the second set 25-20.
The third set started with the teams trading points as the score slowly worked up for the first 4 points. From here the Rattlers again scored 3 straight to take a lead. the Kodiaks quickly erased the deficit and the teams remained even until 16 all. From here the Rattlers Josie Gosling went on a serving streak scoring 7 and helping the Rattlers to a 22-17 lead. on the final point of the set Rattler 5th year Shaya Suchy set a new ACAC Record for digs. As the Rattlers took the set 25-20 and a 2 sets to 1 lead.
Hoping to put the match away in 4, the Rattlers came out looking to finish fast. Unfortunately the Kodiaks were ready and were able to jump out to a 6-3 lead before the Rattlers battled back into the match. Lethbridge was able to maintain a slight advantage as the set entered the midway point, but the Rattlers remained within striking distance. Medicine Hat was able to tie the set at 11 before pulling into the lead 12-11. From here the Rattlers took over. They dominated the middle part of the set and were able to take a 21-15 lead entering the late stages. The Rattlers continued their play able to extend the lead while closing out the set. The final was 25-19 winning 3 sets to 1
The ACAC Players of the game were Sarah Hazen from LC and Shaya Suchy from MHC