Despite enjoying a full complement of players, the Lightning had an unexpected stumble in the opening round against a fired-up North East Blaze team.

Coach Joy Grubb said the side "had a pretty poor preparation for that game".

"We weren't mentally switched on and the Blaze jumped us at the start and

we had to play catch-up from then

on."

While an opening round 52-48 defeat to one of the competition's strugglers was hardly an ideal start to the season, Grubb believes the recovery is in full swing on the back of an encouraging 49-32 win over Peninsula Waves.

"We probably saw ourselves as being undefeated in the first couple of games in the season," Grubb said.

"But we dropped the first one so we will be relying on snatching a win against one of the top teams to make up the lost ground."

The beginning of the new season has been a whirlwind for Lightning's new defensive combination, the majority of whom have been thrust together for the first time under the harsh glare of the VNL.

The Lightning have also been enjoying the influence of their Melbourne Vixen representative Brooke Thompson, who has provided plenty of spark in the pivotal role of goal defence.