ROUND 1 GAME DAY PROGRAM

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13 OCTOBER 130PM TIP-OFF AIS ARENA GAME PREVIEW

The UC Capitals are tipping off the season with a championship rematch!

The 2019 grand final series proved to be competitive and this first game will no doubt be interesting as both teams boast an impressive lineup of players.

Although losing key players in and Kelly Wilson, the UC Caps have recruited well in Olivia Epoupa – the highly-anticipated French player who has been dubbed one of the fastest players in the women’s game.

Everyone’s aware of the powerhouses that are Nurse and Griffin and it will be great to see them out on the court again doing what they do best.

With Tolo out for Round 1 to allow herself an extra week of recovery and training and Ruef still awaiting on her permanent residency, a contingent on her playing in the WNBL, the UC Capitals are going to have to play small.

Young guns Maddy Rocci and , who both showed their development within the finals, will be stepping up to ensure the UC Capitals aren’t too hindered by these delays. With Froling’s impressive off-season, captain doesn’t have any doubt she will rise to the occasion.

After falling one step short in 2018/2019, the Adelaide Lighting have shrugged off doubts about the future of their club by reinvesting in an extremely talented roster.

Despite losing Power Forward and MVP candidate Nia Coffey, the Lightning, under head coach Chris Lucas, have doubled down on talented athletic wings with the addition of Opal Steph Talbot to go alongside the reigning defensive player of the year Lauren Nicholson.

The Lightning also added significant experience through the signing of Nat Hurst and luring club stalwart back out of retirement.

Both teams have been tipped to be top four finishers and Game 1 will no doubt be explosive as the UC Capitals and the relive the grand final series rivalry at AIS Arena.

23 12 KELSEY GRIFFIN Height: 188cm Height: 196cm DOB: 02/07/1987 DOB: 02/07/1989 Position: Forward Position: Centre

11 0 9 KIA NURSE OLIVIA EPOUPA MADDY ROCCI Height: 183cm Height: 165cm Height: 169cm DOB: 22/02/1996 DOB: 30/04/1994 DOB: 01/06/1998 Position: Guard Position: Point Guard Position: Guard

3 21 8 KEELY FROLING Height: 191cm Height: 188cm Height: 168cm DOB: 20/10/1990 DOB: 31/01/1996 DOB: 18/05/1999 Position: Forward-Centre Position: Forward Position: Guard 14 4 ALEX DELANEY KRISTY WALACE Height: 183cm Height: 180cm DOB: 21/06/1995 DOB: 03/01/1996 Position: Forward Position: Guard

6 10 LILY SCANLON GEMMA POTTER Height: 175cm Height: 183cm DOB: 21/02/2001 DOB: 27/02/2002 Position: Point Guard Position: Guard-Forward

5 1 2 SHAKERA REILLY MADDY WHEATLEY PYPER THORNBERRY Height: 178cm Height: 180cm Height: 187cm DOB: 08/09/1999 DOB: 03/06/2002 DOB: 02/07/2002 Position: Forward Position: Guard Position: Forward

NO. PLAYER HEIGHT (CM) POSITION 1 Lauren Nicholson 183 Forward 2 188 Forward 3 Hannah Kaser 178 Guard 6 Sarah Elsworthy 171 Guard 7 Steph Talbot 188 Guard 8 189 Forward 10 Laura Hodges 189 Forward 11 190 Forward 16 Nat Hurst 163 Guard 21 Ruby Porter 178 Forward 35 178 Guard 19-20 SPONSORS

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