New team young and definitely on the ball

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COURTING SUCCESS: The victorious Central regional team members, back from left, Shaani Te Mata-Frost of Manawatu, Wellington's Saravinder Pannu and Bridget Liddell, with Paige Hourigan of Whanganui. In front is Rangi Aukino, of Wellington.

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This  year's crop of Wellington schoolgirl tennis talent – playing under the Central region banner – are national 14s champions.

The oddly named but victorious Central regional team comprised up-and-comers from Wellington, Manawatu and Whanganui.

Whanganui's Paige Hourigan, Manawatu's Shaani Te Mata-Frost, Saravinder Pannu (Wellington East), Bridget Liddell (Queen Margaret) and Rangi Aukino (formerly St Catherine's) were in the team.

Central competed against Northern, Auckland, Waikato-Bays, Central, Canterbury and Southern regional teams.

Central had a poor start in the final against Canterbury, and headed into the doubles trailing 3-1. Central then achieved the improbable, winning both doubles ties in straight sets, to claim the national 14s title on countback.

Central's Rangi Aukino, who was at St Catherine's last year, has recently shifted to Palmerston North to attend Tu Toa, a sports school based at Massey University. Former Tu Toa pupils include Pulse netballers Te Amo Amaru-Tibble and Alanah Cassidy.

Aukino's Wellington coach, Peter Papas, said that, although he was sad to see his protege go, it would be a positive move for her.

"In Wellington, we struggled to get enough court time for training," Papas said. "Up there they have a designated indoor facility, and she will be training with others near her ability."

At the under-16 boys' national tournament in January, Wellington College's Luke and Sam Piercey were runners-up in the doubles.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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