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Kovsies target UCT scalp─── 16:02 Wed, 17 Sep 2014
Bloemfontein - Having started on a low note, the defending Varsity Netball champions of the University of the Free State are still upbeat they will turn their season around. They hope to do so against the struggling University of Cape Town.
Kovsies will play UCT on Saturday, 20 September 2014, at the NWU Puk. Both teams will be in search of maximum points.
Both sides opened their campaigns with losses, with Kovsies going down 48-54 to the University of Pretoria (Tuks), and UCT being crushed by Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University – Madibaz 16-45 at their home grounds.
The plan for the hosts is not to panic, regardless of the defeat. The defensive coach, Karin Venter, admitted that they had a slow start, but added it is something they can still fix.
“Yes, we were disappointed with the loss, but aren’t worried at all going forward. The team will come back,” she told OFM Sport.
“The team always finds the way to do well. They never give up and I’m confident the girls will do well this time,” she added.
Meanwhile, UCT, the team that finished at the bottom of the log last year without a victory, will be hoping for a much improved season. However, Venter said her troops are aware of UCT’s intentions.
“We’re not worried about them (UCT), at all. We’ve got a good squad and we’ll continue building the team. We have a great strength in the team, although we’re in a growing phase.
“We know what we have, what we can use, what works and what does not. In saying that though, you never know in this competition where you will finish in the league. However, as coaches, we’ve got to work hard and think about planning against the team you play.”
Venter said the team would not be looking to change their style of play, but added they will continue preparing according to whom they play.
“We have to plan hard, because it’s a new game and we’re hoping for a better start this time. We’ll choose the team we know will do best against the opposing team.”
Venter also highlighted that the only changes they will make are tactical, adding that one of the changes could see Maryke Coetzee, who was outstanding after coming on as a substitute during the TUKS’ match, getting a start this time.
“There will be a couple of changes, due to the game plan we‘ve set up. I don’t think it would be major, but mainly positional changes.”
“Maryke came on against TUKS and she did well, so at training session this week, we’ll see how she looks, and maybe she will start,” Venter concluded.
The match at the Callie Human Hall gets underway at 14:00.
Elsewhere, the North West University would be looking to keep the winning momentum going when they host the University of Johannesburg following their 48-37 victory over the University of Stellenbosch last week. The match at North West University gets underway at 15:15 on Saturday.
Lee Khotlele / OFM News
