By Jessica Wright

Special to PhoenixMercury.com

The highly anticipated game against their rivals, the Los Angeles Sparks, has the Mercury, along with all their fans, buzzing with excitement. On a mission to end LA’s undefeated streak, the players are heading into the game with great energy and their confidence high.

Head Coach Sandy Brondello feels positive that if they play their best game, her players definitely have what it takes to rise to the challenge and beat LA.

“LA, obviously there is a great rivalry between us so I don’t think I have to motivate them too much in that game,” Brondello said.

The Mercury has had a slightly rough start to their season, but they turned a corner and have won four out of their last six games,which has helped to boost their momentum heading into this rivalry game. Starting forward Candice Dupree says the team all shares a levelheaded attitude about playing against their undefeated rivals.

“We want to be the ones to go in there and ruin that for them by giving them their first loss, so hopefully we can do that,” says Dupree.

LA’s biggest threat is their star forward, Nneka Ogwumike, who is averaging 15.3 points per game. However, Brondello and her players are confident that if they play their best game and stay on top of her defensively, they will be fine against LA.

“[Ogwumike’s] playing great, so she’ll be a handful for us and we have to prepare for her,” Brondello said.

The Mercury players have been awaiting this competitive matchup, and the rivalry between the two gifted teams definitely adds something extra to the motivation they already had to ruin LA’s undefeated streak.

“I do know we love playing them, we get up for those games and we have great energy,” Penny Taylor said. “We haven’t had our best start to the season but I do feel like this is good timing for this game to come around for us and I know that everyone will be focused.”