St Hilda's in pursuit of NZ title

St Hilda's Collegiate will begin its quest for a national title this morning.

The school's team lines up in pool C and opens its campaign in Rotorua against Queen Margaret College at 9.30am this morning.

It will also have to go through South Island rival Ashburton College and Mount Albert Grammar, which won four consecutive titles prior to finishing second last year.

The top two qualifiers from each of the four pools then get split into two top-eight pools, with the two teams at the top of those pools playing in Friday's final.

St Hilda's finished 11th at the tournament last year, although it looks a good chance of improving on that placing this year.

It has had an impressive season, winning the South Island title. It also finishing second in the Dunedin premier club competition, going down to the Southern Magpies in the final.

The team includes Beko League players in twins Kate and Georgia Heffernan and there is plenty of depth surrounding them in the likes of Meg Timu and Mara McCurdy.

Another school to have a Beko League player in its ranks is defending champion St Kentigern College.

Its squad includes Ashleigh Garner, as well as New Zealand secondary school team players Tayla Earle and Tori Kolose.

Mount Albert Grammar, aiming for a sixth title, has Beko League player Paula Smith to call upon and will present a tough challenge on day one for St Hilda's.

Epson Girls' Grammar and Manukura High School have also both been tipped to do well.

The tournament begins at 9.30am today, with the final scheduled for 1.40pm on Friday.

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