Hume 1 picked up an impressive win in their first Division 1 match of the 2023-24 NFNL senior summer netball season, defeating Heat 1 by 13 goals at La Trobe Sports Stadium.
They led at each quarter break, and despite Heat remaining in the game throughout the first three quarters, their 19-goal final term secured a strong 62-49 victory.
Hume’s high total score came largely thanks to Renee Sari, who was a dominant force inside the attacking circle to finish with 40 goals. Rebekah Konstantopoulos was also a great scoring source for her side, contributing to score 22 goals.
It was Sari as well as Heat star and reigning 2023 winter Division 1 best and fairest Tahnysha Salanoa who were controlling things under the net for either side during the first term. The pair would go on to produce 22 of the game’s 28 first quarter goals.
Salanoa’s match up with Hume goal keeper Chloe Meulenmeesters was a great one to observe in the first half, as while Salanoa was able to find the right positions to capitalise on her chances, each shot came under relentless pressure from Meulenmeesters.
Hume were able to establish a four-goal advantage at quarter time, but another strong term from Sari kept the team in control, as her 11 second quarter goals made it a nine-goal lead by half time.
Heat produced their best quarter of the game in the third term, outscoring Hume by three to keep themselves in the hunt ahead of the final quarter.
Their mini surge started in the midcourt, with Emily Fitzgerald in centre controlling things well alongside Chelsea Merkel, while Alana Keith’s move to goal keeper helped keep Hume to just 10 goals for the term.
But in the last quarter, it was Hume who turned the tables, producing their highest scoring term of the match with 19 goals in order to seal the win.
Their patience with the ball saw them capitalise when transitioning from defence to attack, while their pressure saw Heat struggle to make consistent forward passes.
Emma Stalenberg was excellent in the midcourt for Hume, constantly opening up opportunities for her side to attack thanks to her great feeds. Stalenberg and centre Dakota Lister proved to be a great duo not just in the last quarter, but for the entire match, as their efforts played a crucial role in their side’s triumph.
