SEASONED Ballarat Pride centre-courter Lauren Atkinson remains in doubt for tonight’s clash with long-time rival North East Blaze.
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Atkinson is yet to clear fitness testing for a niggling back injury that has been keeping her off court in the Victorian Netball League championship division.
Fed Uni Ballarat Pride is still chasing its first win in the VNL’s top division.
Pride has been gradually improving its margins leading into tonight’s round eight game at State Netball Hockey Centre.
Players are still fine-tuning their game to eliminate basic errors made under pressure of the tough state competition.
Pride coach Jo Dash said a full-court defence must be tight and accountable to slow down Blaze’s trademark fast-moving play.
“Blaze goalers work well with the fast goal attack and the strong-holding, yet mobile Simone Nalder,” Dash said.
“(Players are) focused on quick release, controlled feeds and balanced player and court at a strong training session on Sunday ready to take the game up to Blaze.”
Dash said the work done by players “off the ball” was vital and must become a more major part of Pride’s game.
Birgitta Nemaric and Cindy Daniel are emerging as a solid pair in goals.
VICTORIAN NETBALL LEAGUE
DC North East Blaze v Fed Uni Ballarat Pride at State Netball Hockey Centre
TONIGHT
7pm: 19/unders
8.20pm: championship division
9.40pm: division one