Lions defeat Rattlers in Snake Pit

The Ambrose Lions headed into Medicine Hat to take on the Rattlers in the first part of a home and home on the weekend. With the teams sitting in third and fourth respectively, the playoff picture was set and each team looked to build momentum heading into the post-season. With Senior night presentations the Rattlers honored 2 special players for the program, Amber Stigter and Shaya Suchy who would be playing their last regular season game at home. It was the Lions however who were able to establish a 3-1 lead early before the Rattlers won a long point to regain serve. The Lions again expanded their lead going up 5-2 establishing an early lead. Early in the first set there were quite a few marathon points with both teams coming up with great digs and saving balls all over the court. The Rattlers were able to quickly tie the set at 6 eliminating the Ambrose advantage. The Lions once again scored 3 quick points opening a 10-7 lead. The Lions extended their lead again with the Rattlers struggling to score efficiently. The Rattlers struggling to convert, fell behind 15-11 as the set moved past the midway point. Relying too much on Lions errors for points, the Rattlers needed to find a way to increase their offensive efficiency. Down 17-12, the Rattlers called a timeout in an effort to regroup and find something. Coming out of the break the Lions were able to continue to hold their lead as the set moved into the late stages. Increasing the lead to 7, Ambrose led 21-14 late in the first set. The Lions were able to cruise to a first set victory 25-17 quieting the home Rattlers crowd.

The Rattlers opened up the second set with 3 quick points to take a fast 3-0 lead. An ace on the next serve added to the lead followed by a Lion attacking errors saw the lead 5-0. Trading side-outs, the Rattlers led 6-1 before another good serve brought the lead to 6. An Ambrose Ace helped narrow the margin, but the Rattlers once again took back the serve. Looking much better offensively the Rattlers were converting on a much higher number of attacks. However, the Lions were not going to go away narrowing the Rattlers lead as they slowly chipped away at the lead. Medicine Hat seeing this starting once again took control with some solid Net defense and led 11-5. The Lions were able to tip the momentum back in their direction scoring on some Rattlers sloppy play forcing the home side to take a timeout up 11-9. Continuing their momentum out of the break, the Lions tied the second set up at 12 each. Continuing to score, the Lions went up by 2 before the Rattlers could respond. Errors were plaguing the home side as they looked scattered on both sides of the ball. Ambrose was able to pull away late once again going up 18-13 and forcing Medicine Hat to take a timeout. Once again the Lions had a firm control of the set late holding a 21-14 lead. Ambrose was able to cruise and once again easily took the second set 25-17 and led 2 sets to 0.

The third set opened up with the Lions scoring the first 3 points on Rattler errors. The Rattlers responded with a big Brooke Christie Kill to regain some of their momentum. Medicine Hat came back to tie the set at 3 before taking the lead. The Lions snatched back the momentum and led 7-4 as the set moved out of the early stages. Ambrose led 10-7 but the set was much more balanced with the teams trading errors and points. The Lions were able to hold their 3 point lead as they passed the midway point of the set. Medicine Hat was able to chip away and got within one point before the Lions before they once again pulled away. The Lions went up 17-13 and forced the Rattlers to take a timeout. The Rattlers were able to shift the momentum back and worked the score back to 16-17 only trailing by one. The Lions answered right away and held their advantage late in the set. Up 20-17, The Lions only needed to trade side-outs to take a straight sets victory. The Rattlers battled back late, tying the set at 23 on 4 straight points. This forced the Lions to take a timeout. Coming out of the break the Lions scored to have a chance to serve for the Match. A big defensive play saw the Lions able to take the set 25-23 and a straight sets victory. 

The ACAC Players of the game were Sarah Janz for Ambrose and Josie Gosling for MHC.