When Jayda Pechova walked onto the court at Sheffield's Canon Medical Arena on Friday evening, she wasn't just playing for another win — she was playing for her future. The 20-year-old netballer registered three rebounds, led her team in hustle, and was named player of the match as Nottingham Forest edged past NIC Leeds Rhinos 68-63 in a nail-biting Netball Super League clash.

The victory gave Forest back-to-back wins for the first time this season and moved them within touching distance of a top-four finish that would secure a place in the post-season. With 18 points from nine matches, Forest sit fourth in the standings — one point behind third-placed AO Manchester Thunder with crucial games remaining.

South Africa shooter Rolene Streutker delivered when it mattered most, dropping 34 goals to anchor Forest's attack. But it was Pechova's energy and composure under pressure that caught the eye of head coach Chelsea Pitman, who has watched her young defender blossom throughout the campaign.

"Pechova is having a phenomenal season," Pitman said. "The growth I have seen — and not just on the court — has been a blessing. She's such a coachable athlete. What a year she's having, especially with it being a Commonwealth Games year."

For Pechova, the recognition is gratifying, but she's far from satisfied. Despite earning player of the match honours, she said she felt she could "still push a bit harder" as she chases a spot on the England squad. That hunger to improve — paired with the coaching staff's belief in her — suggests the young defender's trajectory is pointing sharply upward.

The win over Rhinos was hard-fought. Forest held off a determined opponent who, despite sitting seventh in the table with just one win in nine matches, refused to go quietly. Rhinos have now lost eight consecutive games against Forest, a run that underscores how far the Nottingham side has come in building a team capable of competing near the top of the league.

With the Commonwealth Games on the horizon and the post-season race heating up, Forest will look to carry this momentum into their remaining fixtures. For Pechova, there's a dual prize in sight: help her team qualify for the play-offs, and catch the eye of national selectors. Judging by Friday's performance, she's well on her way to achieving both.