THE Illawarra Academy Netball team played the curtain raiser for the big ANZ Championship game between the Swifts and Thunderbirds.
The game was held at the State Sports Centre at Sydney Olympic Park against the ‘Emeralds’ Metropolitan squad.
Despite trailing at quarter time the IAS team, which featured Shoalhaven players Kia Westlake, Melissa Tallent and Nichole Moore, went on to record a thrilling win over the highly rated Metro team.
Coach Liz Dark was proud of the players who put in a strong team effort against an opposition containing some first class players.
The game was excellent experience for the girls playing in a large venue against quality opposition in a lead up-coming to the NIB and Academy games.