Lightning’s Ash Ervin ready to fire against Fever’s Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard

Sunshine Coast Lightning defender Ash Ervin forced an opponent to be benched for the first time in her career just last weekend. Can she do it this week against one of the best of all time?

Mary Cholhok of the Firebirds and Ashleigh Ervin of the Lightning compete for the ball. Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images

Sunshine Coast Lightning defender Ash Ervin will be out to continue her outstanding start to the season when she matches up against star Fever shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard in Saturday’s key Super Netball clash in Perth.

Ervin was immense in the Lightning’s derby win over the Queensland Firebirds at the weekend, finishing with four intercepts and 10 deflections during 60 minutes on court in the 64-50 victory.

Despite giving away almost 10cm to Firebirds shooter Mary Cholhok, Ervin’s impact saw Cholhok benched for the first time in her Super Netball career during the third term.

Ervin’s task goes up a notch on Saturday though against Fowler-Nembhard, a player rated one of the best shooters of all time.

After missing the start of the season while on leave following a tragic miscarriage earlier this year, the Jamaican returned to the Fever line-up last week, shooting 59-from-60 in her side’s first win of the year against the Vixens.

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard of the Fever shoots during the round three Super Netball match between Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever at John Cain Aren. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

Former Fever assistant coach and current Lightning head coach Belinda Reynolds said she was looking forward to the contest.

“First and foremost I’m really happy to see Jhaniele back out there after what she’s gone through so it was great to see her enjoying her netball again,” Reynolds said.

“She provides a real confidence for the Fever as that target shooter and it certainly offers a big challenge for us with her back in the side.“

But Reynolds is also backing her defenders against the 198cm Fowler-Nembhard.

Sunshine Coast Lightning star Ashleigh Ervin. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Ash’s range and her size will be a great matchup on Jhaniele as well as Courtney (Bruce) who knows her game well so we’ll see how it unfolds and use all our deck of cards on the defensive end to break down her game,“ Reynolds said.

After a slow start to the season, Diamonds shooter Cara Koenen celebrated her 100th game in style after finishing with 41 points.

Koenen, who has remained at the club since their inaugural 2017 season, shot 39-from-44 including two successful super shots that got the crowd and her teammates up and about.

“I think it’s great that we’re evolving Cara’s game, she did some good stuff in goal attack but obviously against the Firebirds she was back in her most comfortable position at goal shooter,” Reynolds said.

Cara Koenen of the Lightning celebrates during the round three Super Netball match between Sunshine Coast Lightning and Queensland Firebirds at UniSC Arena. Picture: Russell Freeman/Getty Images.

“Her intent on the ball was back, her shots were great and it was great to see her shoot those two pointers as the team really got around her.

“She’s been working so hard in her two point game so it was good for her to do that in her 100th game.”

Rising star Reilley Batcheldor said she hoped Koenen could continue her standout form.

“Cara has been a part of the Lightning for a long time now and to see her back in her best form with a smile on her face was the Cara we all love to see,” she said.

“I think expect some more big things.”