By Chloe Pilkington
The NSW Swifts elevate into the top-four after stealing the win in a tight match against the Sunshine Coast Lightning at UniSC Arena.
After coming off two consecutive losses, the Lightning came out firing in front of their home crowd to get their 2023 season back on track.
Going goal-for-goal early, Lightning captain Steph Wood shot confidently from long-range as the Swifts' defence double-teamed Koenen along the baseline.
Helen Housby spearheaded the Swifts' attack, finding Aiken-George easy under the post and finishing the game with 24 feeds to her name.
A tip by Klau was rewarded by Housby, bringing the score to 7-8 with a Swifts’ centre pass to follow.
As the first Power Five of the match began, Lightning GK Dehaney came up with a stellar intercept and Lightning finished the first quarter with a 1 goal lead (16-15).
An early miss in the second quarter by Wood spilled out of court as Koenen was unable to pick up the rebound, but Pretorius flew in with an intercept down the other end and was rewarded off the hands of Koenen.
Lightning blitzed the Swifts with their quick ball speed across court, as the defensive duo Pretorius and Dehaney picked up superb intercepts for their side.
The first tactical time out of the game was called by Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds as the score levelled 22-22.
Dehaney came through with another incredible intercept, giving the Lightning a 3-goal advantage going into the second Power Five. The impressive Lightning GK finished the game with 3 intercepts and 4 deflections to her name.
Wood sunk her first Super Shot of the game, bringing the margin to 4 (31-27).
Housby was unable to drain a Super Shot in the final seconds of the third quarter, with Lightning going into half time leading 34-31.
After a strong first half, Lightning were unable to keep their momentum with the Swifts bringing the score back to level (34-34) with 3 consecutive goals.
Laura Scherian came off court due to blood, with Shannon Eagland coming in to replace her in C for the Lightning.
Lightning defence suffocated the Swifts' attack end as the third Power Five began but Housby confidently drained a Super Shot as the Swifts trailed 46-45.
Dehaney and Pretorius double-teamed Housby, but Swifts’ GS Aiken-George was happy to take 1-point shots.
The home-side finished with a 1-goal lead going into the final quarter (48-47).
An early turnover in the fourth quarter was capitalised down the other end by the Swifts bringing the score back to level (51-51).
Annie Miller was a stand-out for the Lightning in her 19th appearance in the league, confidently giving the ball to her shooters and finishing the game with 43 feeds and 21 goal assists.
Still going goal-for-goal as the clock ticked down to the final Power Five, Lightning took the lead by 2 (60-58) after a crucial intercept by Dehaney.
Steph Wood took a hard fall as the score was levelled (62-62) but chose to play out the remaining minutes of the game.
Player of the match Helen Housby stood up in the final moments of the thrilling match, sinking an all-important Super Shot to push her team ahead by 1 (63-64) and secure their place in the top-four.
The Sunshine Coast Lightning will now look to redeem themselves next week against the Collingwood Magpies, while the NSW Swifts will take on the Melbourne Vixens at their home arena.
