Lightning are back in action on Saturday evening when they travel to take on Team Northumbria in round two of the Vitality Netball Superleague
Wednesday 14 February 2018 10:58, UK
Anna Carter says the last thing on her mind is filling Karen Atkinson's shoes as the new head coach of Loughborough Lightning.
Atkinson took Loughborough from strugglers to the top of the table inside three years before reaching the Grand Final in Birmingham last year, where they lost out in a thriller to Wasps.
Carter replaced the outgoing Atkinson during the off-season after working as the Lightning U21 head coach.
But the former England international says her new-look side are 'over' Atkinson's departure after they made a winning start to the new campaign with a 55-44 home win against UWS Sirens at the weekend.
"We're over that [Atkinson's departure] a little bit now. I think what we want to focus on is our journey, just making sure we're progressing how we should do and hopefully get in that top four situation as well as learn some lessons along the way and just keep improving and building," Carter told Sky Sports.
Head coach Carter felt there were plenty of positives to take out of their opening victory of the season against a rugged Sirens side.
"That was a tough start," she said. "Sirens came out and made us think hard. They put a lot of pressure on Peace Proscovia, but we adapted accordingly and started playing short balls so it's good to see players making decisions at this point and some good connections started to come through."
Jamaica international Shamera Sterling is Loughborough's most high-profile signing and Carter has been pleased with the way she has settled in.
"She's fitted in really well on and off the court and I think she's starting to build a lovely relationship with Vicki [Oyesola]. They're working really well and will build quite a formidable relationship throughout the season," added Carter.
We will be back for more action when Manchester Thunder take on UWS Sirens on Monday, February 19 from 6.45pm on Sky Sports Action & Sky Sports Mix.
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