Maniototo's Tessa Jopp has made the Black Sticks women's squad to compete at next month's Commonwealth Games.
Jopp was the only Southern Storm player selected for the team announced in Auckland yesterday.
The 22-year-old is the third-youngest in the squad and has played 17 times for her country after making her debut for the side early last year.
The captain of the Southern side, she was voted top national junior women's player last year. Jopp, who comes from a family sheep and beef farm in Kokonga, is a student in Auckland.
Stalwarts Stacey Michelsen and Anita McLaren headline the 18-strong squad.
Coming off a bronze medal at the 2014 Glasgow Games and silver in 2010 in Delhi, the Kiwis will head to the Gold Coast hungry for gold.
The 248-cap Michelsen and 252-cap McLaren will lead the charge, both taking part in their third Commonwealth Games.
Another nine players have a total of 100 test caps or more.
Head coach Mark Hager said he was happy with his squad, and insisted it headed to Queensland with a medal in its sights.
The side has some tough challenges in pool play, drawn alongside Scotland, Canada, Ghana and chief rivalsAustralia.
The top two in each of the two pools progress to the semifinals.
The Black Sticks recently lost their five-test series against Argentina 4-1 but made the final of November's Hockey World League Final in Auckland.
They ultimately fell to the Netherlands 3-0.
``We know all teams will arrive well prepared at the Commonwealth Games and we certainly aren't taking anything for granted,'' Hager said.
``But our expectations on ourselves are very high.
``We've put our faith in the majority of players who played and finished second at the World League Final and are confident we have the necessary talent.
``Given our performances over recent years, there will rightly be an expectation on us to win a medal and I think it's healthy to have that pressure.''
McLaren (nee Punt) is New Zealand's leading female goal-scorer with 96, and returned to the international hockey fold only last month.
