Rattlers women top Broncos in five-set thriller

By Mo Cranker on November 20, 2017.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

The Medicine Hat College Rattlers women’s volleyball team gave the audience their money’s worth Saturday afternoon at the Snake Pit, winning a five-set marathon against the Olds College Broncos (25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 16-25, 15-7).

Through the first four sets, the teams went back-and-forth, resulting in a required fifth frame to decide the match.

The Rattlers regrouped after dropping the fourth set, and quickly took the final frame.

“After that game, I’m choosing to focus on the positives,” said head coach Kim Stonehouse. “The positive is that we were able to clean things up and win a five-set match. Previously this year, that hasn’t been the case. We’ve been the ones losing the five-set matches. So it’s big for us, because now we know we can do it.”

After a rough start to the year, the Rattlers women now sit at a record of 4-6 — good for a tie for fifth in their Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference division.

“I think the fact that we’re winning matches and playing well within our system is really helping us gain confidence,” said Stonehouse. “We’re by no means out of it, and I keep telling them that. Right now we’re in fifth and could easily be fourth. I want them to keep pushing.”

Amber Stigter led the Rattlers with 20 kills, while Brooke Christie had 11. Janessa Oelke had 29 assists, and Shaya Suchy had 14 digs.

The Rattlers next game is on the road on Friday against the Briercrest Clippers.

The Rattlers men also played host to Olds College, and took home a three-set win over the Broncos (25-19, 25-18, 25-18). Tyler Olson led the Rattlers with six kills. Chad Sieben had 17 assists and Griffin Moline had five digs.

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