NEWS PHOTO SEAN ROONEY - Brooke Christie (5) of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers swings away against the block of Olds College Broncos Tabitha Martin (13) and Janeen Pellatt (14) during women's volleyball action at the Snake Pit Friday night.
Medicine Hat’s Rattlers women’s volleyball team opened the second semester with a momentum-building win.
At the Snake Pit Friday, the Rattlers were never in trouble in a 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-14) victory over the visiting Olds Broncos.
The hosts were able to use a variety of weapons in improving to 7-6 on the season. Setter Molly Marie was named player of the match with 24 assists and three kills, but plenty of performances stood out.
Megan Hoeber had seven kills and three aces; Amber Stiger led with 10 kills; Shaya Suchy had 13 digs; and Sarah Singular had four blocks.
Olds, which has now lost 10 matches in a row, was led by Tabitha Martin’s seven kills and a trio of blocks from Searra Schoepfner.
Medicine Hat went on numerous runs to leave Olds in its wake, none as impressive as one in the second set. A pair of diving digs kept a rally going, then a kill, followed by a Stigter ace punctuated a six-point swing.
The 2-11 Broncos get a rematch with the Rattlers at 1 p.m. Saturday. Medicine Hat will host the conference championships Feb. 27-29 and is fourth in its division anyhow; without the host berth the top four would be in anyhow.
Men’s volleyball
In the later men’s matchup, Olds won a battle of teams tied in the standings 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-22, 16-14).
The Broncos were led by Thundersky and Ryzen Walkingbear, with 19 and 11 kills apiece. Rattlers power Aleksa Zivic had 24 kills and Dexter Mackie 15, but the hosts fell to 3-10.
Both Medicine Hat and 4-9 Olds started the day 10 points back of a playoff spot. They’ll rematch at 3 p.m. Saturday.
