A new-look Saracens Mavericks opened their Netball Superleague season against Severn Stars with both captain Sasha Corbin and head coach Camilla Buchannan insisting progress this season is all part of a process.

The University of Hertfordshire-based side fielded five new players as well as having the backing of Becky Trippick alongside the new boss.

And they fell to a 59-55 defeat at the Nottingham Arena, having seen a one-point lead at half-time evaporate into a six-point deficit going into the final quarter.

Lisa Mather said: "It was a good game to look at what we need to improve on going ahead and I’m sure it’s going to give us more fire to keep going and get wins."

The Mavs are refusing to put a target on what they want to achieve this season, other than constant improvement.

Skipper Sasha Corbin, starting her 10th season with the club, said: "We've spoken as a group and for us, we want to build each game and put what we’re doing in training out on the court.

"We want to be in a position where we look like a completely different team come the second half of the season, because those relationships and patterns will have developed, and we will have grown.

"We understand that this is a process but there’s no pressure."

That same mindset was repeated by Buchanan.

The head coach said: "We are building something new, with new players and a new structure. That is always going to take time, but we’re a competitive group and we want results.

"For me, the focus has to be on what we’re building. The expectation is very much on seeing the systems that we’ve put in place come to fruition.

"That’s where we want to be, as that will give us an accurate reflection of where we are at."

Mavericks' next game will be the first at their spiritual Hatfield home, the Hertfordshire Sports Village, when they take on Leeds Rhinos.

And with the Yorkshire side in a similarly transitional season, Buchanan is unsure what to expect.

She added: "We’re playing a Rhinos side that are a bit of an unknown at the moment but we’re really excited to put on a show for our fans and we want to give them something to be proud of."

And in a break from previous seasons, the venue will also be used for all of Saracens' home games as well as being the base of operations for all of the club's pathway teams.

Bryn Clark, deputy director of sport at the university, said: "As a university and more importantly, the home of Saracens Mavericks, we are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with the club with whom we have enjoyed over 17 years of successful collaboration.

"We are all looking forward to a very positive future for netball as we further develop and enhance the partnership opportunities for our aspiring young athletes."