First Super Netball League MVP excites Mwawi
Australia-based Queens shooter Mwawi Kumwenda has treasured winning the most valuable player (MVP) on Saturday night when her team Melbourne Vixens chalked up a third straight win.
The 59-51 victory over a previously unbeaten Greater Western Sydney (Giants) at the Hisense Arena, catapulted Vixens to the summit of the Suncorp Super Netball League.
Kumwenda scored 35 baskets and her partner Tegan Philip had 24 baskets.
“It is a great achievement for me to be named Most Valuable Player. It is a tough league with some top players and to be among the best is a sweet feeling. I thank my team mates and the coach for the confidence in me and the prevailing team spirit. I have achieved this because of team work,” said Kumwenda in an interview from Melbourne, Australia.
She said her focus is on helping her team win the league, which they have never done before.
“I will give my all to ensure we win the league. We really are playing well and have won our past three games. We just need to continue,” said Kumwenda.
Vixens coach Simone McKinnins admitted that it was a tough game.
“It was actually a really tough match and it was tight and competitive,” McKinnis said in an interview with ESPN.
“Even though we sort of maintained a bit of a gap for a large part of it, it was still hard work. This was the opportunity. It was the top of the table team and undefeated; so if we see ourselves there at the end of the year we have got to start doing the damage now. So I am just really pleased.”
McKinnis said her line-up had also shown another side to their game as they pushed to the final buzzer, not giving the Giants a sniff as they powered home with a 17-13 fourth quarter.
“That’s a sign of progression from us, that they played it out and pushed on a little bit,” she said. n
