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Rattlers volleyball teams go winless against Red Deer on Friday

Feb 17, 2018 | 1:29 PM

RED DEER, AB – Not the performance the volleyball teams from Medicine Hat College were looking for on Friday night with just two games left before playoffs begin.

The Rattlers teams were up north visiting Red Deer College, launching into a two-game set against the Kings and Queens to close out the regular season part of their schedule.

Looking to keep pace in the tight South Division playoff race, the Rattlers men’s volleyball team dropped three straight sets to the Kings to see their four game win streak come crashing down.

Unable to gain any traction off the bat in the first set, the Rattlers saw themselves down 5-0 to open the game and trailed by 10 points near the end of the set.

Red Deer executed a kill on set point, picking up a 25-15 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

A stronger start in the second set for the Rattlers with a 6-5 lead, but once again the Kings were able to battle back and eventually take the set by a 25-19 score.

Facing elimination in the third set, Medicine Hat gave up an 11-5 run to Red Deer as the Kings took the set 25-22 and swept the match in three games.

Sitting a few of their everyday starters, the Rattlers offence was once again led by Vitor Pereiira with 15 kills, finishing with almost half of his team’s total kills.

Falling into fifth place in the ACAC South Division standings with the loss, the Rattlers won’t have to worry about grabbing a top-four playoff spot as they’re already hosting ACAC volleyball provincials.

Medicine Hat’s women’s volleyball team has already been eliminated from playoff contention, but they were looking to get their final weekend of the season off on the right foot against the Queens.

While the first set was back and forth to start, Red Deer took over with a number of big kills and eventually rolled to a 25-16 victory.

The Rattlers took an early lead to start the second set, but once again the Queens were able to fight back and go on a 12-7 run to take control of the play.

Executing a kill while on set point, Red Deer was able to clinch the set by a 25-18 count and put the Rattlers back against the wall.

Medicine Hat and Red Deer battled to an 11-11 tie in the third set with services changing hands a number of times, however it was the Queens once again converting to win the set and the match 25-21.

Paige Burton was tops offensively for the Rattlers with eight kills to her credit, while Shaya Suchy and Amber Stigter each hit double-digits in digs.

Now holding a record of 7-16 on the season, the Rattlers women’s team winds up their season on Saturday afternoon against the Queens.

The Rattlers men’s team will also play their last game before playoffs against Red Deer, hitting the court against the Kings at 3:00 pm.