Severn Stars will travel to the CBS Arena in Coventry to face 2017 and 2018 Super League winners Wasps on Saturday, February 12.
Wasps will welcome Stars to their home ground for the first time since 2020 after home and away fixtures have returned.
The Stars left the Resorts World Arena with one win and one loss on the opening weekend after a closely fought battle with Surrey Storm but were outperformed by Manchester Thunder on the second day.
Their opponents, Wasps, suffered two defeats in rounds one and two after facing Saracens Mavericks and Strathclyde Sirens so they will be looking to bounce back and earn their first set of points.
Stars, however, will be looking to build on last weekend’s performances after a great display from 17-year-old Isabelle Eaton and player of the match Paige Reed.
The pair started both games in the attacking positions with Katie Harris subbing in throughout the quarters after new signing Catherine Tuivaiti was absent from the team sheet.
Harris is set to face her former side where she spent two seasons and will be hoping to make an impact after some great cameos against Storm and Thunder.
Wasps head coach Mel Mansfield continued with the same starting seven throughout both games which included goal attack Lucy Parize.
Parize made the switch from last season’s winners Loughborough Lightning after two seasons with the side alongside Lauren Nicholls.
Wasps’ new signing Ellie Gibbons could be set to make an appearance against her former side after switching the Stars for Mansfield’s side.
Melissa Bessell, Stars’ head coach, may look to continue with defensive partnership Lucy Herdman and Summer Artman after the pair displayed a strong performance.
Both Artman and Herdman will have a battle on their hands facing Parize and it will not be made any easier with the inclusion of England international shooter Rachel Dunn.
Stars captain Liana Leota will look to retain her place whilst Michelle Drayne and Elisha New may continue to rotate throughout the quarters after two good displays from the duo.
Nicole Humphrys and Iman Thomas also made strong starts to the season with vital interceptions and will be key players in the mid court.
Last time out, Wasps did the double over Stars after a 53-34 win on the opening day of the 2021 season and produced a convincing 53-27 win later in the season.
The Stars did, however, take a narrow 59-54 win in the short COVID-struck season so Bessell’s side will be looking to return to winning ways in the league and against Wasps.
The home side will be looking to kick start their season and earn their first three points after two consecutive defeats.
However, the Stars will be looking to bounce back after their defeat to Manchester Thunder and secure their second win of the new season.
The game will commence at 19:00 on Saturday, February 12 in Wasps’ home court of the CBS Arena, Coventry.
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