Lions Complete Weekend sweep over Rattlers

The Ambrose Lions headed south on the number one to face off with the Medicine Hat College Rattlers in the second half of a home and home. Having taken the first half in three decisive sets, the Lions hoped to carry their momentum into the following day. Despite the home opening fanfare Ambrose was able to ace the first point with the Rattlers answering quickly with 2 quick points. From here the teams started to trade quick side outs and serves. The Lions were able to string together 3 serves and take an 8-6 lead. The Rattlers came off this with a big kill looking to swing the momentum back. Ambrose did not allow this coming up with a 3 hit kill right away. Once again able to hold serve, the capitalised and went up 10-7. The Lions continued to hold on to this slim lead as they passed the midway point. Again the teams were trading side-outs as the set slowed down and rallies became longer. The Rattlers piled up 3 errors quickly and the Lions took an 18-14 lead forcing the Rattlers to take a timeout. The Ratters were able to capitalise coming out of the break. The home side started to narrow the gap coming back within 2, 20-22. A huge block saw the crowd erupt and the home side within one but the Lions would once again shut the door with a huge point. The Rattlers were finally able to break through and tie the set at 23. A service error from the Rattlers gave the Lions the chance to serve for the set. Not flinching the Rattlers came up with a big point to extend the set extra points. Another set of traded points saw the set still tied at 25. The Lions came up with 2 points quickly and took the first set 25-27

The Rattlers got off to a quick start going up 4-1 in the second set. The Lions responded but Medicine Hat was right there to answer back. Medicine Hat was unable to hold on to their lead as the early set was knotted at 7. The Rattlers looked sloppy but were digging balls off their shoelaces and keeping points alive. The Lions took advantage of this play and were able to pull ahead 18-14 forcint the Rattlers to take a timeout. Looking sharp coming out of the break the Rattlers had a quick point, but once again a scramble handed the serve right back. The Home team was able to feed off a big play and the crowd and tie the set at 19. The set was anybodies at this point with the score still knotted now at 21. The Lions scored 2 quick points on Rattlers attacking errors and quickly shot ahead 24-21 forcing the home side to take their second timeout. The Rattlers scored out of the break but it was too little too late as the Lions were able to take the second set 25-22. 

The Rattlers started the third set slow dropping 5 straight points and bringing in an early sub. This seemed to energise the side as they brought it back to 6-3. Another 2 quick points and the Rattlers saw their deficit now 2, 5-7. Continuing to chip away the Rattlers scored again and brought it within one. The Lions saw this and seemed to turn it up again and quickly extended the lead once again. Ambrose looked more polished in their passing game and as a result was up 13-7 midway through the set. This seemed to make the Lions complacent as they missed 2 easy plays back to back through a lack of communication on the floor. Another point given away with an out of rotation call saw the Rattlers close the gap 11-13. This saw the Lions take a timeout. This seemed to spur the visitors as they came out of the break looking recharged. They re-established a 4 point lead going up 16-12. Another 3 points saw Ambrose charge ahead, up 19-12 and forcing Medicine Hat to take their second timeout. The Lions continued to pull away nearing the end of the set, going up 22-12 and all but put the set away. The Final wa 25-13 and a 3-0 victory for the Lions Sweeping the Weekend. 

The ACAC Players of game were Ella Nichols for MHC and Elise Wagner from Ambrose.