The Lightning started with the ball in the circle, but a quick turnover resulted in the Blaze reeling off four consecutive goals and they never looked back at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville on Wednesday night.

"We played them in the preseason and won and I don't think we've ever lost to them," Grubb said.

"Some people get carried away by preseason.

"All credit to the Blaze because they came out with all guns blazing and we were always chasing the game."

The Lightning produced a two-faced performance.

They were brilliant in patches - insipid in others.

Grubb put the 63-52 loss down to constant turnovers and the Blaze's unrelenting defence. "We turned it over too much," she said. "The Blaze filled in the space beautifully and made it hard for us."

Grubb also suggested her players were not mentally switched on.

They encountered unforeseen delays on the West Gate Bridge when travelling to the game, leading to a disrupted preparation. "They were all caught up in it," she said. "They were all running extremely late and were not switched on. We have to be mentally tougher in those situations."

The Lightning goalers could not build the scoreboard pressure in the same mode as their opponents.

Goal shooter Sophie O'Shea made 25 of 31, goal attack Olivia Cameron hit 22 of 28 and second-half substitute Julia Knott impressed with 16 from 19. Both sides had 78 shots, but it was the Blaze who claimed victory by 11.

The Lightning will need to bounce back in a hurry against the Boroondara Genesis on Wednesday at 9.40pm to get their campaign back on track.