FINALS are out reach, but two of Bendigo's Spirit's leaders and stars insist there is still plenty of play for over the next four weeks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Spirit will head to Perth this weekend with their confidence high after two-straight wins, including a stirring upset of the finals-bound Canberra Capitals last weekend.
A third-consecutive victory would leave the Spirit and Lynx locked together on five wins and within striking distance of the fifth-placed Sydney Uni Flames, which starts the weekend on six wins.
Two weeks removed from a nine-game losing streak, star point guard Kelly Wilson said there was nothing like a few wins to restore confidence and heighten expectations.
"When you get a couple of wins everyone is pretty excited and looking forward to the next game and that's certainly the case this weekend against Perth," she said.
"It's definitely tough to win in Perth, but it's tough to win any road game.
"We haven't been to Perth this year a we are going for a single road game. They haven't had the season they were hoping for either, but they are a great team, have some great players and we know it will be a tough game.
"Each week you give your absolute best and that's what we've been doing every week.
"Unfortunately we haven't won as many games as we would have liked, but we are going to play out this season. We've got five games to go and we are going to give it our absolute all."
Wilson believed it was Spirit's earliest losses that had wreaked havoc on their season and derailed momentum, but felt confident the win streak could be extended.
It's a view echoed by fellow guard Tessa Lavey.
The Australian Opals star, who this weekend returns to the venue where she spent two seasons with the Lynx in 2015-16 and 2016-17, said there was a definite resolve within the playing group to finish the season as strongly as possible and was certain the team had rediscovered its groove.
"It's always tough coming in with new coaching staff, new systems and getting used to new players," Lavey said.
"Realistically we didn't have a great preparation with (players) coming in and out, but that's just how it rolls with teams and we weren't quick enough to adjust.
"You can see that we are clicking now and it's unfortunate that it's come at the wrong end of the season.
"It's a credit we haven't lost our heads and just thrown the towel in.
"We've really stuck to our guns and trusted in (coaches Tracy York and Mark Alabakov).
"We are looking forward to getting a few more wins."
READ MORE:
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
