Broncos drop home opener to Medicine Hat
The Broncos turned in a solid effort, but were unable to overcome a slow start as they fell to the Rattlers in four sets.
Olds College Sports Information
October 12, 2018
OLDS, Alta. - The Olds College Broncos didn't get off to the start they envisioned, falling in four sets to the Medicine Hat College Rattlers at the Ralph Klein Centre on Friday.
KeAndre Evans paced the Rattlers with 11 kills to go with 12 digs, while Alfred Dalevik added 10 kills and seven digs for Medicine Hat.
Thundersky Walkingbear (Thunderchild, Sask.) had a strong ACAC debut, posting a game-high 13 kills for the Broncos, while Haiden Hurtig (Morinville, Alta.) also got into double digits with 10 kills. Meanwhile, Jesse Stoddart (Calgary, Alta.) finished with five kills and seven digs.
Medicine Hat came out hot in the first set, opening up a quick 6-0 lead. The Broncos clawed their way back into the frame, but the Rattlers held on for a 25-18 victory to go up one set.
The Broncos came out stronger in the second set, grabbing a 22-21 lead. However, it was the Rattlers who found the closing touch, seizing a two-set advantage with a 25-23 victory.
The third set was tightly contested on both sides, with neither side allowing the other to get too far ahead. This time around, the Broncos closed it out, taking the set 25-21 and cutting the deficit to one.
However, the Rattlers used another fast start to seize control in the fourth, taking a 7-1 lead and maintaining the gap en route to a 25-18 victory, wrapping up the match.
Both liberos earned player of the game honours for their respective sides. Davis Clarke (Sherwood Park, Alta.) was The Pit Player of the Game for the Broncos with seven digs, while Austyn Ducharme's 17 digs were enough to earn the honours for the Rattlers.
The Broncos and Rattlers will battle again on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Ralph Klein Centre.