Men take the Rattlers in three
The Briercrest Clippers faced off against the Medicine Hat Rattlers for their second weekend in a row at home.
Although Medicine Hat scored the first couple points of the first set, it was Briercrest who really took the lead, finding themselves up 7-2 on the Rattlers. However, the Clippers had to take an early timeout at the Rattlers found their groove, bringing the game even at 9's. The two teams exchanged the next few points, but the Clippers began to gain some traction, forcing a Rattlers' timeout leading 18-13. But the Rattlers pushed back, making it 18-16 and causing head coach Nigel Mullan for the Clippers to call a timeout. Not to be outdone, the Clippers returned with a jump in their step, and it was the Rattlers who found themselves taking the next timeout at 23-17. The Clippers then made swift work of the Rattlers, taking the first set 25-19.
Both teams came out to play for the second set, finding themselves tied early in the set at 4's. But it was the Clippers who gained momentum first and began to build a steady lead on the Rattlers, forcing a timeout at 18-11. The Rattlers managed to go on a few-point run, but the Clippers made no mistake in taking the second set 25-16.
The third set saw Briercrest take the first point, never surrendering the lead for the rest of the set. The Clippers played a well-disciplined game, and despite their best efforts the Rattlers could not stop Briercrest's offense nor crack their defense, losing the set 25-13. Player of the Game for the Rattlers went to second year KeAndre Evans, who recorded 15 kills and 2 digs. Player of the Game for Briercrest was libero Brady Watchel, who put up 8 digs. In response to the game, Watchel commented, "I think all around it was a great team effort. All the guys are working hard and it's great to see that pay off on the court."
The two teams will face each other again January 24th & 25th in Medicine Hat.