By Mitch Bach

Rattlers eye up first in South Division

Jan 26, 2017 | 3:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Head coach Mark Porter spoke with confidence about his team’s chances at snagging first place in the ACAC’s South Division In Briercrest this weekend.

“I think the team is extremely motivated with Red Deer losing two matches last weekend,” said the men’s volleyball coach.

The Red Deer College Kings had a 9-match win streak snapped at the hands of the SAIT Trojans last weekend. That held the Rattlers two-points back of Red Deer in the division standings.

Red Deer has a buy this upcoming weekend, giving the Rattlers a chance to leap-frog the Kings, and take over top spot for the first time all season.

“If we win two this weekend, we get sole possession of first place,” added Porter. “And then when Red Deer comes into town in two weeks, they’ll have to beat us twice in order to take first place from us. So I think the guys are highly motivated in that regard.”

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But that’s not the only factor motivating the 13-3 Rattlers. The CCAA National Rankings were released this week, and SAIT’s two wins over Red Deer bumped them ahead of Medicine Hat into 9th. The Rattlers slipped a spot into 13th, despite sweeping the Trojans earlier this month.

“I know that ticked some of the guys off, so that’ll be another tool to motivate them. They feel as though they’ve been disrespected for what they’re accomplishing. I think they’re highly motivated to at least push, and if we play well, we’re going to win,” added Porter.

Playing well is a must against the Briercrest Clippers. Despite sitting in the final playoff spot, the Caronport, Saskatchewan-based team sports an 11-5 record. They’ve also won four consecutive matches, the second longest active streak behind the Rattlers’ seven-in-a-row.

“We’re on a good winning streak right now, so it’s just important for us to keep going,” said Rattlers outside hitter Isak Hellend-Hansen, who hopes to defend his ACAC South Division Player of the Year award this spring. “We have eight games left in the season, so it’s really important to keep that momentum we have now, and bring that into later games in the season.”

Briercrest and Medicine Hat haven’t met in league play, but faced off once in pre-season last September. The Rattlers lost in straight sets, although many of their starters sat on the sidelines, giving first and second year players a chance to gain experience.

This weekend, Briercrest will see a much different team. Not only with their starters taking the floor, but with the added motivation of becoming the first place team in the South Division.