- Waverley Falcons women's team fixture 2013
WAVERLEY Falcons women will have plenty of playing time in the first half of the Big V state championship women's basketball season.
The undermanned Falcons expect to suit up just eight players for the first 10 runs with three key players expected to return from their US colleges in round 10.
While some would ask why a team would play with so few players, two of the three returning students are point guard and last season's team most valuable player Georgia Stirton and centre Taylor Dickinson.
Falcons coach Elias Palioyiannis said his players were supremely fit and ready for a gruelling first half of the season.
"We've done the work and are in good shape. Presuming we have no foul trouble then we should be fine," he said.
"We have had an extremely tough preseason and played a lot of practice matches, so I think we will be ready to go."
The Falcons have also signed WNBL forward Brigette Ardossi, who will add toughness and inside scoring to the young Falcons team. Ardossi was a starting forward with Canberra Capitals this past season.
"We have to believe we can go out and win matches. I really believe that Brigette helps us a lot because we haven't had that inside presence and scoring in other seasons," Palioyiannis said.
"She is going to be really good for our younger players and we hope she can teach them a few things."
Among the returning Falcons are Eva Nicolitsis, Tahlia Higgs, Marley Hayes and Claire Ioannidis.
■ Waverley Falcons have announced they will stream all their Big V matches live over the internet this season after forming partnerships with mindIT systems, Lucky Productions, Smash FM and aVerMedia Video Capture and Streaming Solutions.
To find the streaming matches, go to www.mindittv.net/wba
—Roy Ward