Perth Lynx Determined to Finish Off Bendigo Spirit with Clean Sweep of WNBL Semifinal Series
Perth Lynx are just one victory away from securing their place in the WNBL championship series, with co-captain Anneli Maley expressing confidence that the team's relentless drive positions them perfectly to complete a semifinal sweep against Bendigo Spirit at Red Energy Arena on Tuesday.
The Lynx secured a 10-point win over Bendigo on Saturday, placing immense pressure on the Spirit to defend their home court and keep alive their hopes of retaining last season's championship title.
Maintaining Intensity and Focus
Under the guidance of coach Ryan Petrik, the Lynx have a strong record of not losing the second game of a series after winning the initial clash. However, Maley stressed that her squad will not approach the upcoming match with any sense of complacency from their previous success.
"It doesn't really matter. We still need to show up with the same intensity in the next game," Maley said. "It's great and I'm really happy we won the first game. But, no matter what, win or lose, we still need to show up to the next game like it's do or die. That's the type of energy we are trying to keep."
Season Highlights and Team Achievements
Perth's standout players have enjoyed significant personal accolades this season, with Maley and Ally Wilson both earning spots on the All-WNBL First Team. Maley achieved the notable feat of being the only player in the WNBL to record a triple-double, while Wilson has been selected to represent Australia in next month's World Cup qualifiers.
Additionally, Han Xu was honored as the league's Best Defensive Player and, along with Alex Ciabattoni, was named to the All-WNBL Second Team.
Ending a Championship Drought
The Lynx's desperation to end a championship drought that extends back to 1992 has been palpable throughout the season. Having lost the grand finals in 2022 and 2024, Maley emphasized that every team member understands the necessity of maintaining focus and consistently performing at their peak to clinch the championship.
She highlighted that the most rewarding aspect of the Lynx's campaign has been the collective effort to push each other towards improvement and uphold high standards, fostering an environment conducive to success.
"We are super competitive," Maley explained. "We are a very competitive group and everyone wants to win. But regardless, winning is earned. Everyone wants a championship, everyone wants to win games. You don't play basketball to lose games."
"We have a group of people who work super dooper hard and aren't okay with mediocre. So we really do push each other in that way. That's part of our group that has been pretty elite from day one. That's something we all buy into."
