Rattlers make some noise

By Ryan McCracken on January 28, 2019.

rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken

The Medicine Hat Rattlers were unable to complete the weekend sweep against the Red Deer Kings on Saturday afternoon, but they still managed to shake the Snake Pit in support of mental health.

Regan Fathers forced the Kings back into the win column with a 17-kill performance in front of a raucous crowd belting out their support for the Rattlers as part of Medicine Hat College’s Make Some Noise for Mental Health initiative.

“Mental health is a topic that I think has really been on the rise lately,” said Rattlers libero Griffin Moline, whose squad slipped to 10-10 with the straight sets loss (25-22, 25-18, 25-20). “Last night and today I thought the fans really brought it … It’s really good to feed off the crowd like that and see them out here cheering for us.”

The promotion — which runs across the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference – featured noisemakers, themed T-shirts and dozens of exhibits discussing mental health in the hallway outside the Snake Pit.

“It’s great to have recognition,” said Moline. “We all wore the shirts and we had a big hallway decoration and all that kind of stuff. It’s a big thing for the school.”

While the Rattlers picked up a four-set victory over the Kings on Friday night, KeAndre Evans says Saturday’s response was the pushback they were expecting out of the Kings, but they’re still satisfied with the weekend split.

“We really needed a win this weekend so I’m super glad that we got at least one in a split with this team,” said Evans. “They didn’t come at us with their all (Friday). Regan Fathers didn’t seem like he was on his game. I knew there was going to be a big push back today.”

Zachary Frank and Evans led the Rattlers with eight kills apiece in the loss while Nikola Sreckovic dug out 14 and set up 26.

Thomas Wass had 32 assists for Red Deer and Cody Boulding dug out a dozen in the victory, pushing Red Deer to 15-5.

“They’re a solid team. They play a good game. (Friday) we won the serve and the reception battle and today we didn’t serve nearly as well,” said Porter. “At this level, with the quality of arms that each team has, if you lose the serve and the receive battle, you’re going to lose the match.”

The Rattlers — who sit six points ahead of the Briercrest Clippers for the fourth and final playoff spot in the ACAC South — return to the Snake Pit Feb. 8 to host the Olds Broncos (0-18) at 8 p.m.

Burgess sets two records

Kieron Burgess closed out Saturday’s action-packed day at the Snake Pit by breaking a pair of ACAC records.

The Medicine Hat Rattlers forward fuelled the Rattlers with 24 defensive rebounds for a total of 31 boards — both ACAC records — while adding a staggering 41 points in a commanding 108-61 victory over the Ambrose Lions. Burgess went 17-for-22 at the free throw line and 12-for-18 from the field.

Arthur Rosa added 26 points and nine rebounds for Medicine Hat while Jevon Fray-Woodbine posted 11 from the bench.

Sylvan Lombo led the Lions offence with 15 points in the loss, while Isaac Gray and Riley Cordwell shared a dismal team-high of six rebounds.

The victory moves Medicine Hat into a tie with Ambrose for second in the ACAC South at 10-6.

The Rattlers men’s basketball team will be in Briercrest to face the Clippers (2-13) on Friday and Saturday.

Women triple up

The Medicine Hat Rattlers women’s basketball team controlled the hardwood on Saturday night at the Snake Pit, holding the Ambrose Lions to single digits in the first three quarters en route to a dominant 72-25.

Kendell Kuntz led Medicine Hat with 20 points, while Abygail LaRochelle added 11 points and eight rebounds and Katelyn Rozdeba had 11 points with seven boards. Ambrose’s Caitlyn Hetrick was held to just 10 points in the loss while Paige Goertzen added six points and eight rebounds.

The Rattlers now hold a four-point lead on the top of the ACAC South standings with a 14-2 record and a four-game winning streak. Ambrose fell to 3-13 with the setback.

The Rattlers women’s basketball team will be in Briercrest to face the Clippers (7-8) on Friday and Saturday.

Women’s volleyball team swept

The Medicine Hat Rattlers women’s volleyball team are up against the wall following a straight sets loss to the Red Deer Queens on Saturday afternoon at the Snake Pit.

Janelle Neyron led the Rattler attack with nine kills but it wasn’t enough to knock the Queens off their stride. The Rattlers now sit six points behind the Queens (12-8) for the fourth and final playoff berth in the ACAC South with at 9-11 record and just four games left to make up the ground.

Shaya Suchy powered the defence with 21 digs while Janessa Oelke added 19 assists.

Britt Davis and Alexandria Greenshields led Red Deer with nine kills apiece while Kaylee Domoney dug out 10 and Natalie Bloemen set up 26.

The Rattlers women’s volleyball team returns to the Snake Pit Feb. 8 to host the Olds Broncos (1-17) at 6 p.m.

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