Maties will get another crack at winning their first Varsity Netball title when they take on North West University Eagles in this year\u2019s final in Stellenbosch next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It will be the Eagles\u2019 fifth appearance in a final, having defeated Maties in 2015 and scoring a close victory over Tuks a year later to win their second successive title. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While NWU already has two Varsity Netball titles under the belt, Maties are still looking for their first crown. Said Maties coach Zanele Mdodana: \u201cWe just have to make sure to tick all the boxes next week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maties left it until late in the fourth quarter of their semi-final, but for the second year running they have made it all the way to the final of the Varsity Netball tournament as the only undefeated team after a hard-fought 43-35 victory over the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in Stellenbosch on Monday (10 October).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Maroon Machine had to fight through four of the tightest quarters in the competition, going into the half-time break two points behind the Orange Army, who made their first appearance in the semi-finals of Varsity Netball. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maties called their power-play with 12 minutes to go, managing to grab a couple of goals and edge ahead ever so steadily. The UJ bench were out of their seats with a few close calls by the umpires going against them with even the normally cool, calm and collected Bongi Msomi not able to hide her frustration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the end, it was experience that trumped youthful exuberance, without taking away though from what coach Msomi has managed to achieve at UJ in just a couple of years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Said Maties\u2019 Danielle van Nieuwenhuizen: \u201cI just had to adapt to whatever position the coaches wanted me to play in. It was blood, sweat and tears, but we did it!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Maties will get another crack at winning their first Varsity Netball title when they take on North West University Eagles in this year\u2019s final in Stellenbosch next 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