NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Montana Wright drills an attack past a Red Deer blocker in the Medicine Hat College Rattlers women's volleyball match against the Queens on Sunday. The Rattlers would lose in three straight sets.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Don’t count out the Medicine Hat Rattlers women’s volleyball team. That is the message head coach Kim Jensen of Medicine Hat College’s women’s team said about her squad.
Her young team has had a slow start to the season, as they’ve dropped both home-and-home series they’ve had against the Lethbridge Kodiak’s and the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens. However, Jensen said being a young team isn’t an excuse she likes to use.
“I think that’s an easy way out,” Jensen said. “I think it’s going to be an uphill battle at some points but we have lots of season left so we are trying to work hard in practice, and each weekend get a little bit better.”
Instead, Jensen describes her team as having less court experience than others in the Alberta College Athletic Conference. She said the lack of experience is a challenge for the Rattlers, but it will pay off.
“We’re trying to get as many players as we can on the court and get that court experience,” Jensen said. “So a little bit thinking into the future, that’s definitely something we are doing. It’s a transition season so that’s a great time to do something like this. Obviously we all want to win but I think it is going to pay off down the road.”
One thing the Rattler’s women’s team has a lot of is energy. In their three set loss to Red Deer on Sunday, they didn’t stop cheering and celebrating after every point.
Jensen said keeping morale up will not be a problem and is one their strengths.
“I think our strength is our athleticism and our resiliency,” Jensen said. “These girls could walk into the gym and be defeated and that’s never been the case. I’ve never had to address that so that’s encouraging for sure.”
That energy and continued drive, even in losses, can make a coach’s job easier, and Jensen says all she asks for is the effort to get better.
“They want to be successful and it’s not for a lack of trying,” Jensen said. “As a coach, the staff tells them, ‘as long you are making the effort to do what we are trying to do and make the effort to make the changes, that’s what we’re looking for.’ That’s the small victories I’ve talked about. It may not look like it on the scoreboard but we are in our individual team dynamic, succeeding at certain goals we have set for ourself.”
The Rattlers women’s volleyball hits the road Thursday to take on Briercrest College before hosting them Saturday in the Gas City.
When asked how nice it is to get back on the court this season after missing last year due to COVID-19, Jensen said it’s great seeing her team do what they love.
“Just getting an opportunity to see these young ladies out there doing what they love to do and last season for everybody was tough, but for these student athletes, it’s their outlet,” Jensen said. “It’s great to see them out there and getting to play again.”
Men’s volleyball
The Rattlers men’s volleyball team was downed in straight sets by the Red Deer Kings on Sunday, (25-19, 25-18, 25-14).
Jovan Stepanovic led Medicine Hat with 12 kills, while Ty Moline had eight digs on defence.
The Rattlers sit at 0-4 with the loss.
Women’s basketball
The Rattlers women’s basketball team picked up its first win of the season on Sunday, defeating Red Deer 65-45 to sit at 1-3 on the year.
Katelyn Rozdeba led Medicine Hat to the victory with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Men’s basketball
The Rattlers men’s basketball team slipped to 0-4 with a 71-62 loss to Red Deer Sunday.
Jordan Biggar led Medicine Hat in the loss with 22 points, while Fred Kabore had nine with seven rebounds.
