Rattlers bring young and hungry men’s volleyball team to the court

By James Tubb on November 26, 2021.

jtubb@medicinehatnews.com
Twitter: ReporterTubb

The Medicine Hat Rattlers men’s volleyball team hasn’t had a desired start to the season, but head coach Tyler Olson says they’re happy to be on the court.

“Well obviously 0-2 is not the way we wanted to start, even 1-1 would be better,” Olsen said. “However we are a young team so a lot of good things out there, we’re making strides. I think it was good all in all, we just have to show a little more fight.

“We were on the court a bit last year, just not in competition. The competition is what the guys miss the most.”

Their season got underway over the weekend with two losses in a home-and-home series to the Lethbridge Kodiaks. Olson says his team needs to play with more fight and learn from the experiences within games.

“We have to learn how to fight a little more, that goes a long way with having young athletes who haven’t always had that experience, haven’t faced adversity, haven’t even been up,” Olson said. “Sometimes when you’re up, you don’t know what to do with it. Even though you’re winning you don’t know what to do.”

The Rattlers only have four returning players on their 14-man roster. Olson says they lost some due to educational decisions. He added veterans will be one of their strengths this season.

“They can help these younger guys focus, stay calm, cool and collected. As long as they are able to do that themselves,” Olson said.

Coming off the losses to Lethbridge, the Rattlers have another home-and-home series with the Red Deer Kings this weekend. They play on the road Friday night and host the Trojans Sunday at 2 p.m.

Olson says they will build off their loss by increasing their fight level.

“Pretty much just build on that,” Olson said. “The guys are going to have to play hard, Red Deer is a very skilled team, they have some veterans and they’re a good program. We’re going to have our work cut out for us, that’s for sure.”

When asked how the Rattlers will mix the veterans and young players to make a close team, Olson said through everyday interactions and getting together, the team bond gets stronger.

“Just get together and keep a team mindset,” Olson said. “Just know that what you are going to go do, you have to ask the other guys too, have to include them and can’t create cliques… It just sort of works itself out. We all know we are here for the same reason so there’s not too much discrepancy in that.”

After their series against Red Deer this weekend, the Rattlers will have one more before they hit the Christmas break. Olson said that break before returning to action in mid-January gives the guys a chance to refresh and learn how to attack the second half.

“Regardless of what our record is coming out of Christmas, it will give us all time to reflect and watch video,” Olson said. “We have three weeks, roughly, that gives us time to prepare, focus back again if guys get stressed around finals and stuff. Hopefully it gives them time to relax and we come back fresh.”

The Rattlers women’s volleyball team is also taking on Red Deer this weekend. Their home match against the Trojans Sunday is at 4 p.m.