Payne yesterday signed a short-deal contract with a Polish club that will see her play in Europe until December 22.

If her contract is not extended by the Polish club she will return to the Spirit for the second half of the Women’s National Basketball League season.

The third-placed Spirit (7-2) face a big test this Sunday when they host the Sydney University Flames (5-3).

Last weekend the fourth-placed Flames became the first team to beat the Bulleen Boomers this season.

The Flames squad includes Opals centre Suzy Batkovic-Brown and former Bendigo duo Deanna Smith and Dee Butler.