There is always a grin plastered across the Southern Steel defender’s face, and she is the first to crack a joke or burst out laughing as her infectious personality comes to the fore.
From running game-day Jump Jam sessions — convincing even her team-mates with two left feet to have a boogie — to bringing the constant chatter on court, Stythe brings the good vibes wherever she goes.
But do not mistake that unbridled joy for her not taking her role seriously.
Stythe is the first to pump her team-mates up when they are playing well, and her elated screams bounced off the Edgar Centre walls when her defensive unit forced mistakes in the extra-time win over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic last weekend.
‘‘I’m just using my personality and kind of putting it out on court,’’ Stythe said.
‘‘I just want to stay pumped up and get the team pumped up as well, because we’re all very humble. I’m humble, but not on the court — on the court I’m a different person, I think.
‘‘You just need to be hyped up, especially in a close game like that.’’
Coming off the court after the extra time victory, Stythe was still catching her breath when she spoke to the Otago Daily Times.
But she could already see the benefits of having a high-pressure game — the first extra-time game this season — as her team chase the playoffs.
‘‘I think we need those games to test how we kind of can do that.
‘‘We have some close games, but nothing like that. We’ve obviously done it in training, but doing it in real time is so different.
‘‘So important, just for our ball retention and knowing we can learn in those precious moments what are we doing to do.’’
Stythe has been sublime in her second season with the Steel, after shifting south from the Northern Mystics last season and getting her maiden Silver Ferns call-up, playing two tests on their northern tour.
The goal keep has been at her best again, leading the league for deflections (42), and sitting second for defensive rebounds (13) and fifth-equal for intercepts (11).
‘‘I love it down here.
‘‘Everyone’s so cool. I feel like we’ve really grown as a team.’’
That growth has also come with her in-circle partnership with Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa — but their bond goes further than most might know.
The defenders went to school together at St Kentigern College, in Auckland, where Munro-Nonoa was originally a centre during their school days.
‘‘I’ve known her for ages so we’ve got that connection already,’’ Stythe said.
‘‘I love working with Khans. She’s so amazing — she’s going to be so great.’’
The Steel are on a six-game winning streak and could equal their previous longest run of seven from 2019 when they meet the Mystics in Invercargill tomorrow.
The Steel are second on the table with six wins and one loss, and are one spot ahead of the Mystics, who have five wins and two losses.
One of those losses came against the Steel, when they beat the Mystics 57-46 in round three.
They have a good record against the Mystics in Invercargill, having won six of their eight clashes against the Auckland side at Stadium Southland.
Stythe said her team needed to stick to their own game.
‘‘It is the second round so teams have already played us. That’s a good advantage for us as well because we’ve played them as well,’’ Stythe said.
‘‘Just sticking to what we know, keep building our combos and that 60 minutes plus [from last week] ... is really good for game fitness.’’
ANZ Premiership
Invercargill, tomorrow, 4pm
Southern Steel: Aliyah Dunn, Georgia Heffernan, Josie Bingham, Serina Daunakamakama, Kimiora Poi, Ashleigh Poi, Renee Savai’inaea, Carys Stythe, Khanye’-Lii Munro-Nonoa, Jess Milne.
Northern Mystics: Maia Wilson, Filda Vui, Sophia Lafaiali’l, Peta Toeava, Tayla Earle, Katie Te Ao, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Charlotte Manley, Phoenix Karaka, Leila Atkins.
