Lions comeback big over Rattlers
The Ambrose Lions rolled into Medicine Hat to take on the Rattlers in the second half of a home and home. Ambrose looked to once again make quick work of the Rattlers like in their own gym. Medicine Hat had other ideas coming out strong early in the first let and were able to take a small advantage early. Only holding a 2 point advantage the Rattlers looked to extend their lead, but were constantly met with stiff competition from the Lions. Trading serves and side-outs, the score slowly climbed through the mid part of the set. Both sides were playing tight defence but failing to convert on offensive chances. The Lions were able to capitalise on 2 long rallies and even the score at 14 before taking the lead on the next serve. The Rattlers were able to respond to even the score at 15, but their lead had evaporated. Almost as quickly as it had disappeared, the Rattlers came up with a big block followed by a dig and kill to take an 18-15 lead and forced the Lions to take a timeout. The teams were able to come out of the break and trade side-outs with the Rattlers maintaining their lead as the set reached the late stages. 2 more blocks from Medicine Hat saw them go up 22-17 forcing the Lions to call time again. Medicine Hat was able to keep their momentum through the break and add another quick tally to increase their lead once again. Delayed by a few Lions Points, the Rattlers were able to dispatch the Lions 25-19 in the first set.
Spurred on by their first set victory, the Rattlers started the second set by going up 7-2 early. A huge block at the net saw the Rattlers add another quick point. A long scrambly rally on the next point saw the Lions stay within 5. The teams traded side-outs and the score began to climb slowly once again. The Rattlers were able to maintain their lead as the score moved past the midpoint of the set, but the Lions Remained within reach. The Rattlers caught a break and went on another run, opening up a 17-10 advantage forcing Ambrose to take a timeout. The lions made a quick side-out, but the Rattlers were quick to respond and maintain their advantage. Hitting 20 points with the lions still at 12, the Rattlers only needed to trade side-outs and continue to maintain a big lead. They cruised to a second set victory winning by 11, 25-14.
The third set started with both teams scoring early and the score remaining close. Medicine hat was able to take the first advantage going up 7-4 with the help of a great block. The Lions were able to hold for 2 serves and get within one before the Rattlers were able to regain an advantage going up 10-7. The Lions quickly made up the deficit tying the set at 12. Trading side-outs the teams remained tied at 16 with no advantage forming, the Rattlers were able to hold serve and go up 18 to 16 and quickly followed it up with a quick point from the middle. Down 3 the Ambrose bench took a timeout to regroup. They were able to score 2 quick points out of the break and reduce the deficit to one. Coming back to tie it at 20, the Lions looked to come back. Another Lion point saw them take a late 21-20 lead forcing the Rattlers to take a timeout. Ambrose scored again out of the timeout and held a 2 point lead, 23-21 and forced Medicine Hat to take their second timeout.Again the Lions scored out of the break and then scored another quick point to win 25-21, forcing a 4th set.
The Fourth set saw the Lions jump out to a quick lead, thanks to some help from Rattler errors. Medicine Hat was out of rotation twice early due to a mistake on their lineup card and were struggling going down 8-4 before calling a timeout in an effort to figure things out. The Lions however saw this as an opportunity and came out swinging hard and jumping all over the Rattlers early.. Down 12-5 Medicine hat took a timeout, they needed something to spark them as the Lions looked to already have the set in their hands. Ambrose continued to pull away going up 18-8 looking like the Rattlers could not stop them. The Lions won going away taking the 4th set 25-13 forcing a 5th and deciding set.
The Lions carried their momentum into the 5th set scoring 3 quick points and forcing the Rattlers to take a timeout. They were able to score a quick point before the lions added 2 more. Another Rattler side-out narrowed the lead but another error gave the ball right back to the lions. Ambrose was up 8-3 at the court switch and looked to complete the comeback. The Lions were almost rushing to the line to serve and throw off the Rattlers timing. It seemed to work as they were up 10-3 and forced the Rattlers to take another timeout. With the score all but decided, the Lions were able to cruise to a 15-6 5th set victory to complete the comeback.