Facing Scottish side Strathclyde Sirens, Lightning are looking to secure their first win of the season after a disappointing result in the opening round.
Head Coach, Sara Bayman looks ahead to the clash;
“I thought Sirens played really well against Pulse last weekend, it was a tight game and they have a really solid team this year. As a side they break teams down, they hassle teams, they win ball and they fight hard for everything. They provide a really stern test for us this week in terms of consistency and trying to put together four quarters where we put out a strong performance and really don’t back off the challenge that they provide.
Since last week we’ve had an attacking focus on the match and have tried to sort out some of the errors we made last week, and then trying to put the focus back on ourselves and what we do well and make sure that we go into the game with confidence. I think it’s really important for us that it’s a home game off the back of a tough start. The part that the fans will play in that is giving the girls a massive boost on court and also a level of excitement for us to be back at home for the first time in a long time in a Superleague match. We’re really excited to get back out there again.
For home fans, a lot of people will have seen us play in pre-season and it’s going to be a young and exciting team this year. We’ve got some real rocks in the team with Nat Panagarry, Ella Clark, Hannah Joseph and Vicki Oyesola, but what we’ve added is youth in terms of Jas, Alice, Suzie Beth and lots of really exciting players that have the potential to represent Lightning for a number of years.”
Skipper Nat Panagarry and fellow centre court teammate Suzie Liverseidge will miss this weekend’s game due to a foot injury with Hannah Joseph also on the side-lines with a knee injury. Jess Shaw will be absent from play as she continues with her return to play protocol after sustaining a concussion last week.
There are still a limited number of tickets available on the door from 3pm today so why not head down and check out all the action live from Loughborough University.
Order of Proceedings
3pm – Doors Open
3.45pm - Loughborough Lightning U19 vs North East Netball U19
6pm - Loughborough Lightning vs Strathclyde Sirens Netball
For more information visit: www.loughboroughlightning.com