WESTERN Region’s open team missed the finals at the Netball Victoria state titles yesterday.
Under the guidance of new coach Gill Herrmann, the youthful combination was unable to back up the region’s 2011 state crown.
Western Region finished eighth at the two-day championships in Melbourne with four wins and six losses.
“We had a good tournament. We dropped two games we were chances of winning, but with the amount of time and preparation we had to put in, the girls did really well,” Herrmann said.
“To get four wins and only have Rachel (Rodger) from last year’s team was a great effort.”
“There was definitely a higher quality at the top end of it.
“The top four teams were really tough and really seasoned and then some teams struggled a bit.”
Herrmann said Skye Billings in attack and mid-court duo Annie Blackburn and Rodger played consistent netball.
“Jordyn Billings and Indi Morrison in defence had a really good weekend,” she said.
“They were tough. We were short on defenders, so they did a lot of the work.”
Western Region’s 17 and under and 15 and under sides narrowly missed finals after dropping close matches.
The 17 and unders finished sixth on percentage out of 16 teams with 10 wins, four losses and a draw.
The 15 and unders placed eighth with eight wins, six losses and two draws.
Coach Chris Van Kempen said her 17 and under side played to its potential and was able to match it with the top sides.
“We missed out on finals by two points. It’s devastating because three of the teams in there we beat,” she said.
“We had a draw to top team Chisholm, which was undefeated.
“We had opportunities but didn’t capitalise.”
Van Kempen said the conditions were tough, with wet, slippery courts making it difficult for all teams on Saturday.
“When they walked off the court, they’d given 110 per cent. You can’t ask for more,” she said. “Sarah Moroney was absolutely outstanding. Her defence was beautiful and Angela Meade was a strong contributor in the centre court.”
Western Region 15 and under co-coach Kate Lindsay said Holly Snaauw, Kate O’Meara and Emily Finch were the side’s most consistent contributors.