National U-21 netballer Sasha-Gaye Lynch

National Under-21 netballer, Sasha-Gaye Lynch, said she is now determined to win a place on Jamaica's senior team.

Lynch was one of the stand-out players for Jamaica, during their 3-0 series loss to the Australia Under-21 team last month.

Both teams were using the series as part of their preparations to the World Youth Championships (WYC), which will be held in the Cook Islands from August 11-20.

Gained experience

"I am definitely looking to gain a place on the national senior team because I have been dedicating a lot of time and also working very hard towards this," said Lynch.

Lynch added that she has gained a lot of experience playing against the Aussies.

"I have learnt a lot from this Australian team and what to expect from them when we go to the Cook Islands for the championships in August," said Lynch, who plays at both the goal defence and goalkeeper positions.

"I think we did well even though we lost all three matches," she said. "However, I believe that as the series went on we improved our performances and I am sure we can beat them if we meet them in the Cook Islands," Lynch noted.

"I think we'll definitely get the gold at the WYC because we have a very strong team and I believe that we also have the potential to beat any one of the top teams in the competition," said Lynch.

The 18-year-old Lynch was the captain of Jamaica's Under-16 team that won the Caribbean Championships in 2006 in Trinidad and Tobago.

'I improved on my game'

She admitted she felt very apprehensive going up against the Australians.

"I didn't know what to expect and how to play against their (Australia's) shooters, but as the series went on I think I improved on my game," said the 5'10'' Lynch, who attributes her early development in the sport to her grandmother Beverley Brown and aunt Tana Grey.

Lynch, who is currently attending the Excelsior Community College where she is pursuing a pre-business diploma, began her netball career at age nine at Waterford Primary in St Catherine.

She also represented St Hugh's High in the school league and now plays for Speg 'A' in the Berger Paints Super League competition.