Latest news with #Poi
Otago Daily Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel pipped by Mystics
The Southern Steel have fallen agonisingly short, 55-54, to the Northern Mystics in Dunedin. But it was a game that had everything and showed the Steel why they are worthy of being in the hunt for the playoffs. Down 47-42 at the start of fourth quarter tonight, the Steel levelled the game 47-47 early. Captain Kimiora Poi came flying through the court for an intercept - bringing coach Wendy Frew to her feet with a fist pump - to take a 49-48 lead and forced the Mystics into a timeout. Looking for answers with Australian Diamond shooter Donnell Wallam sidelined with a wrist injury, Peta Toeava moved into goal attack with Tayla Earle taking the wing attack role. It worked immediately with the visitors regaining a two-point lead as the Steel struggled to settle. But the home side fought back to level it yet again and then extend to a two-point lead. Filda Vui nailed a two-pointer to level the game, and then settled for a one to win it. The victory helped the Mystics get their hands on the Georgina Salter Memorial Trophy for the first time. The Steel were tenacious throughout, fighting back through deficits and just needed better execution in key moments under pressure. Poi was a standout for the Steel, doing a power of work throughout the court and finishing with 31 feeds. Aliyah Dunn and Catherine Hall had a good tussle under the post. Dunn started to win the battle when she created space for herself off the hold, allowing her feeders to let the ball go. That helped the Steel start their fightback and eventually take the lead. With 10 seconds left on the clock, Georgia Heffernan lined up the first two-pointer of the game - and nailed it - giving the Steel a 17-13 lead at the first break. Serina Daunakamakama grew into her role throughout the game and created great depth into the pocket. She played with a maturity beyond her 21 years and her option taking was the difference, never afraid to mix up the timing on her feed. The Steel's wall defence off the centre pass made life tough for the Mystics, with Toeava unable to secure first phase. It held up the ball through the court for the Mystics and started to build pressure. The Steel were never afraid to work the ball around, taking the square option to re-set and go again through their attackers. Under pressure in the pocket, Poi's jump feed to Dunn drew a big applause from fans as the crowd. But the Mystics tightened up defensively, pushing the Steel attackers wide and leaving the middle channel open. Down by two points, the Mystics called a timeout and the introduction of Vui at goal attack changed the game. She nailed a two-pointer to level the match, but Heffernan responded with her own to lead 28-26. Vui replied with two more for the Mystics to lead 31-30 at halftime. The visitors' experience showed, allowing them to grind away. Katie Te Ao added longer arms in the middle for the Mystics and captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson put pressure on the feeders. It felt like the Mystics had all the control through the third and jumped out to a 38-33 lead. Carys Stythe used her feet, came around the body to grab a tip, and Kate Lloyd picked up the crumbs to mount a comeback. But they needed more ball defensively and the Mystics used the width of the court to make it hard. Vui made a big difference, letting the ball go and playing a supporting role for Wallam. The Mystics were up by six when Wallam hurt her wrist, and held a 47-42 lead at the break.
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
East Coast netballer Kimiora Poi gears up for season
'In a typical week, we'll train on the netball court three to four times a week, and part of one of those trainings will be match-play against the Invercargill men's team, so we get a bit of match-play prep leading into a real game.' They also do fitness, strength and conditioning work in the gym. While the focus is on the ANZ Championship, national selection is in the bigger picture for Poi, who has played 16 tests for her country since 2019. 'The way that the Ferns selection works is that we play our normal A NZ Premiership... and then, after the grand final, they select a new Ferns squad for the year, and then they select the players to play in the team [for tests]. 'We won't find out [if they have made the squad] until after the grand final, which is in 10 to 12 weeks.' The Silver Ferns face South Africa in a three-test series for the Taini Jamison Trophy in September, followed by a four-test Constellation Cup home and away series against Australia in October. New Zealand won the Constellation Cup series 3-1 last year, and Poi knows only too well how tough it will be to hold on to the silverware. 'They [Australia] just don't let you breathe when you're playing ... they're with you the whole time ... across the board, they've probably got a bit of depth, where they can change it up.' Poi likes to relax and destress in different ways after a game. 'I quite like to watch the game back, initially ... kind of get that out of the way and debrief. 'In my spare time, I'm quite a nana and just like staying home or staying in a hotel, and watching series ... I do [read] a book now and then, but I have to be in the mood.' She also enjoys 'getting out ... getting some fresh air, maybe go to the pools or something, just [to] do a little bit of recovery as well.' Poi is of Ngāti Porou descent. She was brought up in Tikitiki and attended Tikitiki School before the family shifted to Napier, where she went to Napier Girls' High. Her parents are Billy Poi and Roanne Baker. She has two sisters, Jade and Ashleigh, and a brother, Morgan. Her parents are now back living in Tikitiki. Poi returns to the North Island a few times a year. 'I try to get back, definitely over the Christmas-New Year period, and then maybe one or two other times throughout the year. 'My parents are always very good, and they come and watch me around the country as well, so I get to see them a few times in the year.' Asked what messages she would have for young girls looking to go further with their netball, she said: 'One of them would be to take opportunities when they arise. You never know who's watching, so always put your best foot forward. 'Another one would be to keep enjoying what you're doing ... if you play your best netball or whatever you're doing.' Poi said the Steel were heading to Dunedin early to visit netball centres and schools. '[We'll] do some coaching and question and answers [and] hang out with some kids. That'll be really cool to get back out in the community.'
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Steel thwarted late in trophy game
It was a game that had everything — two-point shots, a late scratching, an assistant coach hitting the court, a suspension and a centurion. The Southern Steel looked sharp but succumbed 57-50 against the Mainland Tactix in Christchurch on Sunday night. It was the tightest game in the opening round of the ANZ Premiership and was a contest worthy of the inaugural Hutton Family Trophy. Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn notched her 100th game back where it all began and assistant coach Liana Leota (40) returned to her roots when she was injected as a replacement in the third quarter. She pulled on the dress after co-captain Kate Heffernan was ruled out with a knee injury. Defender Carys Stythe was superb in her Steel debut with nine deflections and six gains. But they let the little moments get the better of them. "I think we let ourselves kind of crumble under pressure in that last second half," co-captain Kimora Poi told Sky Sport. "We came at them in the first half but we just let little basics slip. "We've got more to give." Serina Daunakamakama got the nod at wing attack, with Poi moving in the middle. Poi's connection with Dunn from their Tactix days benefited the Steel immediately. Poi was the engine room of the midcourt and fed Dunn nicely over the tough Tactix defenders. The home side looked sharp with their settled shooting line up in Te Paea Selby-Rickit feeding Ellie Bird and Erikana Pederson hardly missed a beat at wing attack. The penalties started to mount against the Steel with Stythe and Abby Lawson caught on the body. That allowed the Tactix to exploit and push ahead. The Steel tried to attack the two-point shot early in the period — it is in action for the final five minutes of each quarter — but their accuracy was off. The Tactix, however, kept the scoreboard ticking over with just the one-pointers and led 14-10 at the first break. They continued with that roll to start the second quarter and jumped out to a seven-goal lead. But Stythe started to win the battle over Bird, putting her off her shot and Georgia Heffernan levelled the score at the other end. Heffernan sank the first two-pointer of the game to take the lead. Just as the Tactix looked to pull ahead again, Heffernan drained another two, and then dished off to Dunn, to lead 27-26 at halftime. Martina Salmon was injected at goal shoot, in a bid to combat Stythe's growing dominance in the circle. The Steel started to get more depth on their second phase, allowing a more direct entry to the post. Daunakamakama grew in confidence throughout the game, picking up a tip off the Tactix centre pass. Jane Watson and Karin Burger continued to mix up their positioning in the circle for the Tactix, and Watson was rewarded when she snaffled a cross-court ball. Nothing could separate the two, until the Tactix had a mini surge of four goals through the middle. Enter Leota. The assistant coach — playing her 211th domestic game — came on at wing attack to settle the attack end. Down by three, the Steel took the risk with the two-pointers again and Watson boxed out strong to pick up the crumbs. At the other end, Salmon slotted the Tactix first two-pointer to lead 42-37. But Dunn replied with her own, closed the gap to two — and Stythe rejected Salmon's two-point attempt. The Tactix held a 42-41 lead at the third quarter. It was a game of runs and the Tactix came out of the break strong to lead 47-44. Dunn was questionably suspended for clipping Karin Burger when trying to keep the ball in court. That left the Steel without a shooter for two minutes and the Tactix showed their experience. The Central Pulse thumped the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 57-44 and the Northern Mystics had a big 71-55 win against an injury-hampered Northern Stars.
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Drama, milestones and late twists in thrilling opener
It was a game that had everything. Two-point shots, a late scratching, an assistant coach hitting the court, a suspension and a centurion. The Southern Steel looked sharp but succumbed 57-50 against the Mainland Tactix in Christchurch tonight. It was the tightest game in the opening round of the ANZ Premiership and was a contest worthy of the inaugural Hutton Family Trophy Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn notched her 100th game back where it all began and assistant coach Liana Leota, aged 40, returned to her roots when she was injected as a replacement in the third quarter. She pulled on the dress after co-captain Kate Heffernan was ruled out with a knee injury. Defender Carys Stythe was superb in her Steel debut with nine deflections and six gains. But they let the little moments get the better of them. "I think we let ourselves kind of crumble under pressure in that last second half," co-captain Kimora Poi told Sky Sport. "We came at them in the first half but we just let little basics slip. "We've got more to give." Serina Daunakamakama got the nod at wing attack, with Poi moving in the middle. Poi's connection with Dunn from their Tactix days benefited the Steel immediately. Poi was the engine room of the midcourt and fed Dunn nicely over the tough Tactix defenders. The home side looked sharp with their settled shooting line up in Te Paea Selby-Rickit feeding Ellie Bird and Erikana Pederson hardly missing a beat at wing attack. The penalties started to mount against the Steel with Stythe and Abby Lawson caught on the body. That allowed the Tactix to exploit and push ahead. The Steel tried to attack the two-point shot early in the period — it is in action for the final five minutes of each quarter — but their accuracy was off. The Tactix, however, kept the scoreboard ticking over with just the one-pointers and led 14-10 at the first break. They continued with that roll to start the second quarter and jumped out to a seven goal lead. But Stythe started to win the battle over Bird, putting her off her shot and Georgia Heffernan levelled the score at the other end. Heffernan sunk the first two-pointer of the game to take the lead. Just as the Tactix looked to pull ahead again, Heffernan drained another two, and then dished off to Dunn, to lead 27-26 at halftime. Martina Salmon was injected at goal shoot, in a bid to combat Stythe's growing dominance in the circle. The Steel started to get more depth on their second phase, allowing a more direct entry to the post. Daunakamakama grew in confidence throughout the game, picking up a tip off the Tactix centre pass. Jane Watson and Karin Burger continued to mix up their positioning in the circle for the Tactix, and Watson was rewarded when she snaffled a cross-court ball. Nothing could separate the two throughout the third quarter, until the Tactix had a mini surge of four goals through the middle. Enter Leota. The assistant coach – playing her 211th domestic game - came on at wing attack to try to settle the attack end. Down by three, the Steel took the risk with the two-pointers again and Watson boxed out strong to pick up the crumbs. At the other end, Salmon slotted the Tactix' first two-pointer to lead 42-37. But Dunn replied with her own, closed the gap to two – and Stythe rejected Salmon's two-point attempt. The Tactix held a 42-41 lead at the third quarter. It was a game of runs and the Tactix came out of the break strong to lead 47-44. Dunn was questionably suspended for clipping Karin Burger when trying to keep the ball in court. That left the Steel without a shooter for two minutes and the Tactix extended 50-44. The Central Pulse thumped the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 57-44 and the Northern Mystics had a big 71-55 win against an injury hampered Northern Stars.
Otago Daily Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Drama, milestones and late twists in premiership opener
It was a game that had everything. Two-point shots, a late scratching, an assistant coach hitting the court, a suspension and a centurion. The Southern Steel looked sharp but succumbed 57-50 against the Mainland Tactix in Christchurch tonight. It was the tightest game in the opening round of the ANZ Premiership and was a contest worthy of the inaugural Hutton Family Trophy Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn notched her 100th game back where it all began and assistant coach Liana Leota, aged 40, returned to her roots when she was injected as a replacement in the third quarter. She pulled on the dress after co-captain Kate Heffernan was ruled out with a knee injury. Defender Carys Stythe was superb in her Steel debut with nine deflections and six gains. But they let the little moments get the better of them. "I think we let ourselves kind of crumble under pressure in that last second half," co-captain Kimora Poi told Sky Sport. "We came at them in the first half but we just let little basics slip. "We've got more to give." Serina Daunakamakama got the nod at wing attack, with Poi moving in the middle. Poi's connection with Dunn from their Tactix days benefited the Steel immediately. Poi was the engine room of the midcourt and fed Dunn nicely over the tough Tactix defenders. The home side looked sharp with their settled shooting line up in Te Paea Selby-Rickit feeding Ellie Bird and Erikana Pederson hardly missing a beat at wing attack. The penalties started to mount against the Steel with Stythe and Abby Lawson caught on the body. That allowed the Tactix to exploit and push ahead. The Steel tried to attack the two-point shot early in the period — it is in action for the final five minutes of each quarter — but their accuracy was off. The Tactix, however, kept the scoreboard ticking over with just the one-pointers and led 14-10 at the first break. They continued with that roll to start the second quarter and jumped out to a seven goal lead. But Stythe started to win the battle over Bird, putting her off her shot and Georgia Heffernan levelled the score at the other end. Heffernan sunk the first two-pointer of the game to take the lead. Just as the Tactix looked to pull ahead again, Heffernan drained another two, and then dished off to Dunn, to lead 27-26 at halftime. Martina Salmon was injected at goal shoot, in a bid to combat Stythe's growing dominance in the circle. The Steel started to get more depth on their second phase, allowing a more direct entry to the post. Daunakamakama grew in confidence throughout the game, picking up a tip off the Tactix centre pass. Jane Watson and Karin Burger continued to mix up their positioning in the circle for the Tactix, and Watson was rewarded when she snaffled a cross-court ball. Nothing could separate the two throughout the third quarter, until the Tactix had a mini surge of four goals through the middle. Enter Leota. The assistant coach – playing her 211th domestic game - came on at wing attack to try to settle the attack end. Down by three, the Steel took the risk with the two-pointers again and Watson boxed out strong to pick up the crumbs. At the other end, Salmon slotted the Tactix' first two-pointer to lead 42-37. But Dunn replied with her own, closed the gap to two – and Stythe rejected Salmon's two-point attempt. The Tactix held a 42-41 lead at the third quarter. It was a game of runs and the Tactix came out of the break strong to lead 47-44. Dunn was questionably suspended for clipping Karin Burger when trying to keep the ball in court. That left the Steel without a shooter for two minutes and the Tactix extended 50-44. The Central Pulse thumped the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 57-44 and the Northern Mystics had a big 71-55 win against an injury hampered Northern Stars.
