Vixens find form after coach’s surprising call to exit

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Vixens find form after coach’s surprising call to exit

Melbourne Vixens have rebounded from the shock news of the impending departure of long-serving coach Simone McKinnis with a 70-52 away win over Queensland Firebirds.

In the first match since McKinnis surprised the netball world by announcing she was standing down at the end of this campaign, the Vixens tallied their highest score and biggest winning margin of the season.

“Obviously the news of Simone last week was a big shock to us, so to go out there and play for her is something that really fuels us,” Hannah Mundy told Fox Sports after starring in Brisbane.

“Hopefully she’s proud of that performance.

“I’m really proud of the girls. We’ve had a tough couple of weeks. We haven’t executed the basic skills we know we have.

“So just to come out and play with freedom and play how we did is really exciting for the rest of our season.”

The Vixens faced the possibility of losing three straight games for the first time since 2021.But the visitors produced an improved performance, breaking clear after an even first quarter.

Both sides were guilty of numerous first-half turnovers, but Melbourne became more clinical and efficient as the game progressed, while the Firebirds continued to make mistakes throughout.

The Vixens eked out a four-goal lead by halftime, doubled it to eight at the last change, then scored the first three of the final term to lead by 11.

The Vixens now have a 3-4 record for the year, while the Firebirds (2-5) slumped to a fifth straight loss, and their failure to make the finals since 2018 looks set to extend another season.

Vixens and Diamonds goal attack Kiera Austin, who has been below her best in recent weeks, produced a sparking performance full of energy.

She made all five of her Super Shots, hitting 15 of 18 regular goals as Sophie Garbin landed 42 of 45.

Midcourters Mundy and Kate Moloney gave the Vixens plenty of drive.

Firebirds circle defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran worked hard, totalling match-high tallies of three intercepts and seven gains.

Ugandan shooter Mary Cholhok made 26 of 30 shots for Queensland.

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