LADY Braves guard Heather Oliver expects the level of on-court intensity will lift in its SEABL semi-final on Saturday night.
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The Lady Braves will take on the red-hot Frankston Blues in Bendigo, with the winner of the match to play-off in the conference final.
Oliver admits it will be a tough game but was looking forward to the challenge.
"They are a good team, they played extremely well against us the last time we played and we are expecting them to come out firing," she said.
"Hopefully we can match them.
"The finals are different to when we play during the regular season, it's exciting."
The record between the Lady Braves and the Blues stands at one game all.
Frankston will go into the finals game with a bit of confidence as they beat Bendigo just three weeks ago.
Blues trio Kelly Bowen, Maddie Garrick and Nicole Romeo have worked well this season and will provide scoring power for Frankston.
Oliver said the team will head into the match fully prepared.
"We will scout on the three key players but we also have to make sure we are ready for the players who will come off the bench," she said.
"They can come onto the court and really step up and make an impact on the game, so we will have to be able to defend everyone.
"We are familiar with how they play, so hopefully we can get on top."
Oliver said Garrick, who is her Bendigo Spirit team-mate, would be one to watch.
"We know she will get her points we have just got to make it hard for her," she said. "We just need to do our job."
The Lady Braves will face the Frankston Blues at the Bendigo Stadium on Saturday.
Tip-off is at 7.30pm.