Rattlers complete weekend sweep in Olds

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers are heading into the holiday break on a high, defeating the Olds College Broncos in four sets at the Ralph Klein Centre on Saturday.

Montana Wright posted a solid nine kills on 19 attempts to go with four blocks to earn player of the game honours for Medicine Hat (5-7), while Anica Haberstock led all attackers with 14 kills along with three aces. Hailey Adams posted 17 digs for the Rattlers, while Ella Nichols contributed 13 of her own to go with six kills.

For the Broncos (0-9), Sarah Merkosky led the way with 10 kills and 10 digs, while player of the game Julia Pedersen added seven kills and a game-high 18 digs. Lexi Lafreniere added eight kills, while Milan Schapowal posted six kills and two blocks.

The Rattlers rolled out of the gate, taking control early in the opening set and continuing to build en route to a 25-16 win to go up one set. The second set was following a similar trajectory most of the way, only for the Broncos to get within a point before the Rattlers went up two sets with a 25-23 victory.

Olds College came out firing in the third set, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead and hanging on for a 25-22 victory to force a fourth set, where the Broncos again got out to a good start with a 10-5 lead. However, the Rattlers got back into the set and eventually pulled ahead, closing out the match with a 25-23 win.  

Both teams are now in their holiday break through to January 13, when Medicine Hat will host the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings, while the Broncos will head north to battle the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves.