Latest news with #Firebirds
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Milestone champion Courtney Bruce headlines Round 9 Super Netball team of the week
Courtney Bruce has celebrated her milestone 150th national league match with a vintage performance to push her into the team of the week for Super Netball's Code Sports round. Bruce, who has been battling back to top fitness in a frustrating year after sealing defender of the tournament honours at the 2023 World Cup, was outstanding for the Lightning, shutting down the Queensland Firebirds' chances of a derby win with her efforts on Mary Cholhok, Emily Moore and Abigail Latu-Meafou with an incredible eight gains and 13 deflections. Her former West Coast teammate Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard took honours at the other end of the court, spearheading the Fever's win over the NSW Swifts with an incredible 71-goal effort. The women often dubbed the shooting GOAT had just one miss for the evening as the Fever became the first team to beat the Swifts this season. It led to Fowler-Nembhard and centre Jordan Cransberg winning positions in the team of the week, with Diamonds captain Liz Watson, just pipping Fever wing attack Alice Teague-Neeld in her position. The Giants' gritty win over defending champions the Thunderbirds led to two of their players – goaler Sophie Dwyer and defender Erin O'Brien elbowing their way into this week's best, with the Firebirds' England midcourter Imogen Allison turning in her best performance of the season to make the side from a losing team.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Doral's Abdullah and Villazon are the Dade 7A-4A Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year
The pressure was on this season for the Doral Academy softball team. After three consecutive trips to the state final four had not resulted in a state championship, junior shortstop Anabela Abdullah didn't want another opportunity to slip away. Senior Meagan Villazon felt it too. She stepped into the primary pitching role this season and didn't want to let her teammates down. For Villazon and Abdullah and the rest of the Firebirds, it was mission accomplished. The duo was at the heart of Doral's march to its second state title, its first since 2021, and a top 3 national ranking. The Firebirds finished the season 31-1 and capped their season with a dramatic 5-4 comeback win in eight innings over Valrico Bloomingdale in the Class 6A state semifinals before beating Pace 1-0 in the final. 'It's even more special since it came our senior year,' Villazon said. 'We worked so hard to get to this and it was definitely worth it.' As such, Abdullah is the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade County Softball Player of the Year and Villazon is the Dade Pitcher of the Year for Classes 7A-4A. 'It was more like relief because that was our goal and we had been there like six years in a row,' Abdullah said. 'We've been No. 1 in the state the entire year so we had to make sure we won it this time. Our seniors are a group of five girls that played together since the sixth grade and I joined that in the seventh grade so we were really close as a team. We had no holes and we were just a big family and everyone was in synch.' Abdullah, who won a gold medal with Team USA's Under-15 team three years ago, earned a chance at another as she will participate on the Under-18 squad this September in Oklahoma City. Abdullah, a University of Texas commit, is regarded as one of the best defensive shortstops in the country, which she credits to the tutelage of her longtime coach at Doral, Willie Viruet - the Herald's 7A-4A Coach of the Year. '(Viruet) is the only defensive coach I've had since I was six and he works with me every single day,' Abdullah said. But Abdullah added some power to her already strong hitting tools this season. Abdullah hit .582 and belted a career-high 15 home runs. She also hit 12 doubles, four triples and drove in 59 runs overall. 'My travel coach, Scott Smith, helped me with the mental part,' Abdullah said. 'But I also got in the gym and added some power. I was a lot more comfortable with my swing.' Villazon split some starts last season with former Doral ace Yessenia Lopez, who now pitches at UCF. She knew the responsibility was hers to carry on a pitching legacy at the school. Villazon, an FIU signee, more than lived up to expectations, going 26-1 with an 0.63 ERA, and striking out 261 batters in 145 innings. Villazon also hit .475, with two home runs, nine doubles and finished with 45 RBI. 'It felt like I had big shoes to fill, but I just worked as hard as I could to perform well enough for my team and win it, and pushing myself was so much fun,' Villazon said.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Doral Academy's Viruet, Somerset's Rebhan are Miami-Dade Softball Coaches of the Year
Doral Academy's Willie Viruet and Somerset Silver Palms' Gator Rebhan direct what have been the two most successful softball programs in Miami-Dade County in recent years. But a state championship eluded both programs over the past three seasons. In Rebhan's case, the Stallions had never hoisted a state championship trophy. In Viruet's case, the Firebirds had in 2021, but had come heartbreakingly short more than once of recapturing that feeling again. It all changed this season as both Doral Academy and Somerset Silver Palms overcame that final roadblock and were each state champions. And so, Viruet and Rebhan are once again, the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade County Softball Coaches of the Year. Viruet is the winner for Class 7A-4A after leading Doral to its second state title in school history. The Firebirds have been regulars at the state final four under his watch, advancing to at least the state semifinals every season since 2019 - the longest active streak for any Dade team. This season, Doral took things up a notch, however. The Firebirds finished the season 31-1, ranked No. 3 in the nation and higher than any other Florida team. Doral capped the season with a dramatic 5-4 comeback win in eight innings over Valrico Bloomingdale in the Class 6A state semifinals before beating Pace 1-0 in the final. Miami Herald 7A-4A Pitcher of the Year Meagan Villazon, an FIU signee, was the main reason for the team's success in the pitching circle. Junior shortstop Anabela Abdullah, a Texas commit and the Herald's 7A-4A Player of the Year, and senior third baseman Sarah Breaux, the Herald's Player of the Year in 2024 and a Clemson signee, drove the Firebirds' offense. For Somerset Silver Palms, the state championship was a brand new feeling. And it was something Rebhan hadn't experienced for over two decades since leading Miami Palmetto to a pair of state titles in 2000 and 2003. Rebhan left high school coaching for a few years while coaching at the collegiate level at FIU and later solely travel ball. But he returned to the high school scene and began building Silver Palms into a state powerhouse in 2021. After two consecutive years reaching state, the Stallions finally secured that elusive first title with convincing wins over Dunedin and Eustis. Rebhan's daughter Taylor Rebhan, a junior shortstop and Louisville commit, and sophomore pitcher Ava Stevens, who are the Miami Herald's 3A-1A Player and Pitcher of the Year respectively, led the Stallions throughout the season.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Lethal Lightning strike extends netball derby dominance
Sunshine Coast Lightning have consolidated their spot in the Super Netball top four and maintained their derby stranglehold with a 72-62 win over the Queensland Firebirds. Cara Koenen buried 54 goals without a miss at Nissan Arena in Brisbane on Saturday night, combining superbly with wing attack Liz Watson to put the Firebirds' defence under constant pressure. The victory was the Lightning's seventh in a row against Queensland and improved their overall head-to-head dominance to 15-4 with one draw. "I've finally sorted out the ones under the post, thankfully," Koenen laughed after her flawless performance. "Our ball speed is what kills defence ends. "I'm very happy to work my way out the front, but I've also got some awesome playmakers in Liz and Steph (Fretwell)." With Koenen and Watson firing in attack and gun stopper Courtney Bruce, in her 150th game, rampant at the other end, Sunshine Coast looked like taking control from the outset as the Firebirds became turnover- and penalty-plagued. Macy Garnder led a 6-1 Queensland recovery to pinch the lead, before Fretwell's super shot on the quarter-time siren gave the Lightning an 18-17 edge. Koenen and Watson's peerless connection, combined with Leesa Mi Mi's playmaking out of the centre, saw the visitors increase their lead to 37-33 at the half. The Firebirds unravelled in the third term, misfiring badly in attack, bossed through the middle and out of answers for Koenen, who hit 17 more goals. They were outscored 20-13 for the period to trail 57-46 with a quarter to play. Goaler Mary Cholhok (24 goals from 25 shots) inspired Queensland to a 7-2 start to the fourth and the Firebirds, seeking to snap a six-game losing streak, could sniff an upset as the margin closed to seven. But the Lightning rallied once more, Bruce's rejection of Emily Moore's two-pointer late leading to Koenen's 54th straight goal on the full-time bell. Sunshine Coast Lightning have consolidated their spot in the Super Netball top four and maintained their derby stranglehold with a 72-62 win over the Queensland Firebirds. Cara Koenen buried 54 goals without a miss at Nissan Arena in Brisbane on Saturday night, combining superbly with wing attack Liz Watson to put the Firebirds' defence under constant pressure. The victory was the Lightning's seventh in a row against Queensland and improved their overall head-to-head dominance to 15-4 with one draw. "I've finally sorted out the ones under the post, thankfully," Koenen laughed after her flawless performance. "Our ball speed is what kills defence ends. "I'm very happy to work my way out the front, but I've also got some awesome playmakers in Liz and Steph (Fretwell)." With Koenen and Watson firing in attack and gun stopper Courtney Bruce, in her 150th game, rampant at the other end, Sunshine Coast looked like taking control from the outset as the Firebirds became turnover- and penalty-plagued. Macy Garnder led a 6-1 Queensland recovery to pinch the lead, before Fretwell's super shot on the quarter-time siren gave the Lightning an 18-17 edge. Koenen and Watson's peerless connection, combined with Leesa Mi Mi's playmaking out of the centre, saw the visitors increase their lead to 37-33 at the half. The Firebirds unravelled in the third term, misfiring badly in attack, bossed through the middle and out of answers for Koenen, who hit 17 more goals. They were outscored 20-13 for the period to trail 57-46 with a quarter to play. Goaler Mary Cholhok (24 goals from 25 shots) inspired Queensland to a 7-2 start to the fourth and the Firebirds, seeking to snap a six-game losing streak, could sniff an upset as the margin closed to seven. But the Lightning rallied once more, Bruce's rejection of Emily Moore's two-pointer late leading to Koenen's 54th straight goal on the full-time bell. Sunshine Coast Lightning have consolidated their spot in the Super Netball top four and maintained their derby stranglehold with a 72-62 win over the Queensland Firebirds. Cara Koenen buried 54 goals without a miss at Nissan Arena in Brisbane on Saturday night, combining superbly with wing attack Liz Watson to put the Firebirds' defence under constant pressure. The victory was the Lightning's seventh in a row against Queensland and improved their overall head-to-head dominance to 15-4 with one draw. "I've finally sorted out the ones under the post, thankfully," Koenen laughed after her flawless performance. "Our ball speed is what kills defence ends. "I'm very happy to work my way out the front, but I've also got some awesome playmakers in Liz and Steph (Fretwell)." With Koenen and Watson firing in attack and gun stopper Courtney Bruce, in her 150th game, rampant at the other end, Sunshine Coast looked like taking control from the outset as the Firebirds became turnover- and penalty-plagued. Macy Garnder led a 6-1 Queensland recovery to pinch the lead, before Fretwell's super shot on the quarter-time siren gave the Lightning an 18-17 edge. Koenen and Watson's peerless connection, combined with Leesa Mi Mi's playmaking out of the centre, saw the visitors increase their lead to 37-33 at the half. The Firebirds unravelled in the third term, misfiring badly in attack, bossed through the middle and out of answers for Koenen, who hit 17 more goals. They were outscored 20-13 for the period to trail 57-46 with a quarter to play. Goaler Mary Cholhok (24 goals from 25 shots) inspired Queensland to a 7-2 start to the fourth and the Firebirds, seeking to snap a six-game losing streak, could sniff an upset as the margin closed to seven. But the Lightning rallied once more, Bruce's rejection of Emily Moore's two-pointer late leading to Koenen's 54th straight goal on the full-time bell.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Diamonds trio leads Lightning's blitz of the Firebirds
Diamonds trio Cara Koenen, Liz Watson and Courtney Bruce led the charge as Sunshine Coast Lightning blitzed Firebirds 72-62 to claim the Queensland Cup and Battle of the Bruce. Bruce, playing her 150th Super Netball game, was dynamic in the defensive circle and really proved a menace to Emily Moore and Mary Cholhok. The keeper had 12 deflections and seven gains. Watson controlled the midfield alongside Leesa Mi Mi - her workrate was second to none. The midcourter had 26 goal assists and 19 centre feed receives. While Cara Koenen didn't miss a shot all night. Firebirds tried to stay in the fight - but repeated turnovers led to their seventh consecutive loss. The two Queensland sides were fairly evenly matched in the first quarter with both teams having the lead at some point. It really amped up in the Super Shot period with Firebirds swapping out Mary Cholhok for long range shooter specialist Abigail Latu-Meafou. The move paid off with Latu-Meafou netting two of her three super shots. Lighting's defence, led by Bruce, worked hard to keep the super shooter away from the long range area. It produced a crucial turnover which led to Steph Fretwell sinking a super shot in the final seconds of the quarter to put Sunshine Coast ahead 18-17 at the first break. Firebirds defenders Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Isabelle Shearer forced Fretwell and Koenen to get creative in the second quarter - slowing the shooting rate but not halting it. The damage on the scoreboard could have been far greater were it not for Latu-Meafou netting another two super shots. But it just wasn't enough to catch up to the fast-moving Lightning side who took a 37-33 lead into half time. Lightning really hit the accelerator in the third quarter outshooting Firebirds 20-13 to take an 11 point lead into the final break. Firebirds staged a comeback in the final quarter, getting some quick goals on the board much to the delight of the 4666 strong crowd at Nissan Arena. But clawing back an 11 goal deficit in a single quarter was always going to be a big ask. Firebirds did hang on to win the final quarter 16-15 but Lightning took the game 72-62 Mi Mi means business Leesa Mi Mi was everywhere tonight - her darting runs created plenty of opportunities for the Lightning. Mi Mi had ticked the box in the gains, deflections and intercepts columns on the stat sheet. She created plenty of opportunities with 14 goal assists. The agile centre worked really well with Liz Watson - signalling what could become a key link up for the Diamonds in the near future. Firebirds need a spark The Firebirds are now on a seven game losing streak and it is going to take a lot to snap them out of it. We got a glimpse of what the Firebirds can do in the final quarter - where they staged a comeback. But they need to win more than one quarter if they want to get a win on the board. Cholhok has been a key addition under the post but the costly turnovers in the midcourt are hampering her shooting rate. They just seemed out of touch with the very clinical Lightning side. Firebirds have a tough game next week against Thunderbirds but a win would give them a massive confidence boost and could reignite their season. A few consecutive wins and other results going their way and Firebirds could still be playing finals netball.
