TWO months after re-signing as Bendigo Spirit's coach for another two years, Tracy York has got the perfect start to the club's recruiting for the 2021-22 WNBL season.
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York and the Spirit have welcomed back one of their two 2020 season MVP award winners Tessa Lavey.
The re-signing of the star point guard, who is in contention to make the Australian Opals squad for the Tokyo Olympic Games later this year, was announced on Friday.
Lavey produced a brilliant season for the Spirit, who despite her remarkable efforts, went winless in the NBL hub late last year.
She led all WNBL players in average minutes with 35 per game and finished top-three in average assists (5.9) and top-10 in scoring (15.2).
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The 28-year-old, who shared the Spirit MVP award with Carley Ernst, followed that with an eye-catching first season in the AFLW with Richmond.
For Lavey, the opportunity to continue to be a dual-code athlete and the support offered to her by both Richmond and her WNBL club were keys in her decision to re-sign with the Spirit.
York, who is entering her third season with the Spirit, said the club was only too willing to be flexible to accommodate Lavey with a one-year contract.
"The Spirit supports Tessa in being a dual-athlete and will work with her agent and the Richmond Football Club so Tessa can play at the highest level of both codes," York said.
"The Spirit exists to give local girls such as Tessa a pathway so they don't have to leave home to achieve their sporting goals."
As the Spirit set their sights on a return to the WNBL playoff scene for the first time since the 2014-15 season, York sees Lavey's signing as the first in a few big ones ahead for the county-Victorian club.
She is similarly rapt to have retained the services of one of the team's obvious leaders.
"Tessa led from the front last season, helping our team of young girls take massive steps in the second-best competition in the world," coach Tracy York said.
"It's no surprise we want her here again next year.
"She is an outstanding leader, person and athlete and we are excited to have Tessa back with the Spirit for the 2021-22 season."
Lavey, who is playing for Frankston Blues during the current NBL1 season, was a thorn in the side of her former Bendigo Braves team last Friday night.
She finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Blues defeated the Braves 70-76.
She followed up with 18 points, eight assists and eight rebounds in a Saturday night win against Dandenong Rangers, as the Blues continued their undefeated start to the season.
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