Prior to the World Cup, Opals forward Sara Blicavs recalled her nerves ahead of being named in the final Australian squad for the tournament.
By the 2:14 minute mark of the fourth quarter on Thursday night, Blicavs checked out of a quarter final against Belgium with Australia leading 83-62 and her fingerprints all over the dominant win. Finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds on an efficient 6-for-10 shooting, it was comfortably her best performance of the tournament and one that helped catapult Australia into the final four of the tournament.
It was the third start of the tournament for Blicavs, replacing Bec Allen after the star wing was caught up in a nasty collision against Serbia on Sunday night.
"It was so short and sharp. Sandy said, 'Sara, you're starting' and I thought great!" Blicavs recalled to ESPN on being told she was entering the starting five.
"I'm in a really good head space when it comes to sport and pressures, and I really don't feel any different. I love starting, I think it gives me energy, but I also know my role. As long as I can keep bringing that I'll be good. It's nice, I genuinely just get so excited to play now, especially here. I don't feel pressure, there are a little nerves but I just want to hurry up and play."
Allen attempted a comeback for the quarter final but could only manage two minutes before checking out of the game. Postgame, the emotions of the moment were evident as she fronted reporters.
"I'm struggling, I'm struggling. I think everyone can see that. My emotions are because I'm happy and (it's) just everything. I needed to try, I needed to try for myself. Not today, hopefully tomorrow."
Head coach Sandy Brondello discussed what the next 24 hours will look like for Allen, with China awaiting for an opportunity to advance to Saturday's gold medal game.
"Bec is still an important part of this team but if she can't go, I'm not going to try and force the action because we've got other quality players that can replace her.
"Sara being one of them and I think Tess Madgen and Kristy Wallace. That's what a team is, to have depth going into these kinds of tournaments because injuries do happen unfortunately. We'll see in 24 hours; it will be a game time decision."
Blicavs and Allen are roommates on the trip, with the pair sharing plenty of moments through what has become a challenging tournament for the latter.
"We've had a lot of in-depth conversations about it all. It's hard for her because she wants to play, it's the biggest tournament in the world and it's in Australia on our home soil, I completely understand it. Right now, she has to not put so much pressure on herself and realise that the team has no pressure on her. When she's ready she'll come back and if it means playing through pain in the gold medal match, we'll take it."
If you've been paying attention through six games, the performance from Blicavs should hardly come as a surprise, given the even spread of contributors for the Opals on any given night. Scoring six of Australia's first ten points, it was an aggressive opening that set the tone from the first-time World Cup representative.
"I don't like to dwell on the past, but I wasn't as happy with my confidence in trying to score, I didn't think it was there. I thought screw it; I think quarter finals is the time to step up and get my s*** together," she said with a laugh.
Cayla George provided the late daggers, posting 19 points and nine rebounds, Marianna Tolo continued her impressive World Cup with 13 points and six rebounds, while Lauren Jackson continued her torrid per minute production by pouring in 12 points in 14 minutes.
"I think it's just the team and the people we are. We're not envious, we're not jealous, we all fully support everyone and want everyone to do the best. We know that if it's best for the team in the moment then it is, everyone will get their chance to play, and you just take it in your stride and bring what you bring when you play."
While Allen's availability remains a question mark, the contributions of Blicavs and friends has put the Opals on the brink of a gold medal match. Brondello is hoping her World Cup breakout is a harbinger of positive things to come as the 12 nations that opened the tournament has been slashed to four with two game days to play.
"The confidence was good, especially with Bec Allen out, that was Sara's best game and if we can continue to build on that, she's a strong body that we could use against the big bodies of China.
"I'm happy for her, she works so hard and she's such a great teammate."