Defining Mystics Match-up for Mojo Pulse

Defining Mystics Match-up for Mojo Pulse

Consistency on attack holds the key to success for the Mojo Pulse in their ANZ Championship netball rematch against the Northern Mystics in Wellington on Monday.
 
The Pulse looked to have gained much-needed momentum with a dominant 11-goal win over Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic two weeks ago but who have since had to cool their heels while sitting out a bye round.
 
For evergreen shooter Irene van Dyk, the bye came at the wrong time for the Pulse but she remains confident the team is tracking in the right direction. “Personally, I would have loved to keep playing and just get that continuity coming into this Mystics game,” she said. “But obviously that didn’t happen, so we’ll have to see what happens.”
 
In notching their second win of the season, the Pulse discovered their precision on attack and under the hoop with a slick outing to deliver their best outing to date. “It was the first time that things actually clicked between different combinations and hopefully that’s the start we need for the rest of our season,” van Dyk said. “You can feel sometimes you’re on the verge of things clicking into place but up until that game, it just wasn’t happening.
 
“Lack of consistency has been our downfall and we have to make a conscious effort to treasure possession. Our defenders have been getting a lot of turnover ball and at the attack end we have to make sure we bring it through court safely and score off it.”
 
As the Pulse have continued to tinker with their shooting combinations, van Dyk’s encounter against the Magic was the first full game of the season for the ageless veteran. She identified the need for variety on attack as being key to the team’s future fortunes.
 
“Liana (Leota, wing attack) is a key target for opponents and when she’s not available we have to be aware of different options,” van Dyk said. “We have to have our contingency plans sorted and I don’t think we’ve had that in a lot of our previous games.
 
“Liana is such an integral part of the attacking end and if that is not a happening thing, then we really struggle.”
 
With two wins from five outings, the Pulse sit fourth on the New Zealand conference while the Mystics, who have proved the comeback queens, after winning their last three matches with late surges, sit atop of the standings.
 
After leading several times during the first encounter between the pair three weeks ago, the Pulse were left disappointed when losing by five goals. Both teams have virtual international line-ups to roll out with van Dyk anticipating a “cracker” match-up. “I think it’s going to be really tight,” she said. “Both teams have the experience to know about those little important moments that can really count.
 
“I do think we have more in the bag though. When we played them last time we did not hit our straps and it was an ugly game from us, so I do think we have a lot more to offer.
 
“At the moment they’re top of the New Zealand conference, so they’re the ones to beat.”
 
At 42, van Dyk has lost none of her passion the game, believing she’s fitter than ever and happy to prolong her stellar career. “I’m loving it, absolutely loving it,” she said. “My body is holding out absolutely fine, mind you, I’ve only had one full game, so I’ve got nothing to complain about. I just love every minute out there.
 
“There’s some great talent in this team and a very good crop of young ones coming through.”
 
The Mojo Pulse play the Northern Mystics in Round Seven of the ANZ Championship this Monday, 13 April. The game takes place at TSB Bank Arena, Wellington. Centre pass is 7.40pm. Tickets for this game can be purchased fromTicketek.

ENDS

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