One opportunity remains for Sunshine Coast Lightning to finesse their game plan and ensure combinations gel before Premiership points come into play next week against West Coast Fever in Round 1.
Lightning will continue the annual tradition of replicating match conditions a week out from Round 1 in a heated contest against the QLD Suns side on Sunday.
After building connections and finessing game strategy across multiple SSN pre-season matches in recent weeks, Head Coach Kylee Byrne is eager to get one more competitive match under the team’s belt.
The game follows a string of matches against the two NSW sides in Sydney, Suncorp Team Girls Cup in Melbourne and most recently against Collingwood in Hobart last week.
“We had two really hard hitouts against Collingwood which has helped our build towards Round One,” Byrne said.
“It was fantastic to see the improvements and growth since the Team Girls Cup and we are certainly heading in the right direction.”
READ MORE: TARA HINCHLIFE’S EARLY RETURN TO COURT
Byrne highlighted the strong form of shooter Cara Koenen across the two matches as well as the growing connection between defenders Kate Walsh (nee Shimmin), Kadie-Ann Dehaney and the recently returned Tara Hinchliffe.
“While everyone certainly had their moments on court and delivered at different times, I was particularly impressed with the strength of Cara Koenen to take tough balls under a lot of physical pressure,” she said.
“Additionally, our defenders are building their connections and combinations every time they take the court and are starting to build some real pressure and create turnovers.”
Byrne said she was eager to see the team perform in front of a home crowd at Sunday’s final practice match against QLD Suns and hopes the local support will spur them on for the season start.
“We can’t wait to play a final pre-season game at home this weekend against the Qld Suns, hopefully our Members and fans come out and see us take the court for the final match,” she said.
Tickets are now on sale for our practice match against QLD Suns on Sunday 18 March from 1pm.
Here We Come! Don’t miss out on securing tickets to our first two home games. Tickets are now on sale for Round 2 v Queensland Firebirds and Round 5 v Melbourne Vixens.
