By Scott Roblin

Rattlers men’s team rattles off pair of wins to sweep Lions

Jan 20, 2019 | 1:07 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After surviving a five-set marathon match Friday night, the Medicine Hat College Rattlers men’s volleyball team made quick work of the Ambrose University Lions on Saturday.

Rookie KeAndre Evans led the Rattlers attack in a three-set sweep (25-14, 25-14, 25-23) of the Lions at home, while also sweeping their weekend series with Ambrose.

Medicine Hat scored the first five points of the opening set and eventually led the Lions 15-6, keeping that momentum rolling near the end of the set to pick up a 25-14 win.

Alfred Dalevik and Edvard Nordlund made an impact in the second set for the Rattlers with a number of service aces, helping the home side pick up another 25-14 victory to bring them upon victory’s doorstep.

The third set saw the Lions pick up a six point lead over the Rattlers and play some of their best volleyball of the night, however Zach Frank was able to kick start a three point rally by Medicine Hat.

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After tying the set at 19-19, Medicine Hat closed out the match with a 25-23 win thanks to a late service ace from Nordlund.

The Rattlers were able to execute 10 aces compared to Ambrose’s three, while also picking up 11 blocks on the evening.

Evans was named Rattlers player of the game with 12 kills and five service aces, meanwhile Nordlund and Griffin Moline each had nine digs on the defensive side of the ball.

Winning both of their weekend games against the Lions, the Rattlers have climbed back to a .500 record of 9-9 and sit four points up on Briercrest College for fourth in the South Division.

It was a tougher few days for the Rattlers women’s volleyball team however, as they lost their second consecutive match against Ambrose 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-20) on Saturday.

Ambrose held a 24-14 lead and were one point away from taking the opening set, but the Rattlers were able to close the deficit to seven points before the Lions ultimately took a 1-0 lead in the match.

Medicine Hat continued to struggle in the second set with very little momentum being generated, which led to a couple of clutch points late from the Lions to take the set by a 25-19 score.

Facing elimination, the Rattlers jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the third set thanks to some big plays from both Brooke Christie and Janelle Neyron.

Determined to close out the match in three sets though, the Lions were able to mount a comeback and tie up the set at 15-15 before taking advantage of Medicine Hat errors to sweep the contest.

Neyron led the way in the loss with 11 kills and four digs, which was followed up by nine kills and seven digs out of Christie.

Mired in the midst of a two-game skid now, the 9-9 Rattlers women’s team wasn’t able to make up any ground in the South Division and remain two points behind fourth placed Red Deer.

Continuing their home stand next weekend, the Rattlers men’s and women’s squad will take to the floor at the ‘Snake Pit’ to face Red Deer College on Friday and Saturday.