An Opals return left Marianna Tolo with a stint of vertigo and some nearly sleepless nights.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the Canberra captain says she is ready to push through the mental barrier as the Capitals look to pick up where they left off in their WNBL campaign.
The Capitals will end a 15-day wait when they face the Perth Lynx at the National Convention Centre on Sunday.
The extended wait until their round six clash looms as a blessing in disguise with a host of Capitals stars dusting themselves off after a busy FIBA international window.
Tolo will return to full training on Thursday after a short break having spent time in Opals camp with Capitals coach Paul Goriss in Malaysia.
Star imports Kia Nurse and Olivia Epoupa will resume a full training program on Friday having returned from international duties with Canada and France respectively.
Tolo's co-captain Kelsey Griffin used the international window to return to Nebraska alongside her former college teammates for an alumni event.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
All return to Canberra with a common goal: continue the form that saw them bury the competition's top two sides on the road in one weekend.
"I always enjoy coming from Opals and then playing wherever I am next," Tolo said.
"It just steps up your game a whole new level. I'm really looking forward to playing this weekend and bringing that intensity you have with the Opals into the WNBL.
"I'm up late at night but hopefully that will settle over the next few days with some rest.
"Thankfully we have a Sunday game this weekend so we have a bit of a chance to recover before getting in some practice.
"Even if I'm tired, mentally I think I am ready to push through. This is my focus, I love playing for the Capitals and I will do everything I can to be ready for the game on the weekend.
"We have to knuckle down and make sure we have their scout ready to go."
Canberra have risen to second in the standings and enter the Perth clash riding a 14-game winning streak on their home court.
But Goriss says to write off the fifth-placed Lynx would be a major disservice to a side which has always been a tough ask.
But how Perth star Katie-Rae Ebzery copes with the effects of the international window remains to be seen as they prepare to play in Townsville on Friday and back up in Canberra on Sunday.
This is my focus, I love playing for the Capitals and I will do everything I can to be ready.
- Marianna Tolo
"The break could have gone one of two ways," Goriss said.
"It could have been a blessing in disguise if we weren't playing too well, but it was unfortunate the break came when we were playing our best basketball of the season.
"Hopefully we can just get back into that form we had in that last road game weekend in Melbourne and continue that.
"Obviously it's going to be difficult coming off the break with those girls being away and travelling back overseas.
"They're pros and it's a game we've got to be ready for because Perth are a tough team.
"Coming back home to the Capitals and the girls back here is always a great relief, to come back after a disappointing loss to Japan.
"We've got to refocus now on WNBL and the Capitals, and making sure we continue that winning streak at home and the form we had leading into the break."
WNBL ROUND SIX
Sunday: Canberra Capitals v Perth Lynx at National Convention Centre, 5pm. Tickets from Ticketek.