The Robinhood Stars' ANZ Premiership season is in the balance ahead of Monday's must win round 14 fixture with the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel.
The Stars need to win their final two regular season matches if they're to have the best chance of featuring in the finals.
Defender Anna Harrison believes her team needs to rediscover the fun in their game as they race to push their way back into an ANZ Premiership Finals Series position.
The Stars fell out of the top three for the first time this season with a 13-goal loss to the Tactix and will return home to take on a confident Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel side in a key league match-up.
They were held to their lowest score this year in the defeat to the Tactix with the attack end in particular, struggling to find any flow.
Harrison said it was important they felt “proud” about their performance as the pressure started to mount at the business end of the season.
“We know that when we’re having fun and feel connected, the results take care of themselves,” she said.
Coach Kiri Wills has plenty of options in her shooting circle – an area which wasn't at its best in Round 13 – with the return of Monica Falkner who got valuable minutes on court. It gets no easier for the Stars against a Steel side riding high following their victory over the table-topping Mystics.
Shooter George Fisher got a full 60 minutes under her belt last week and her combination with Tiana Metuarau was back to its best.
ANZ Premiership Round 14: Robinhood Stars vs Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel - Monday 19 July 4:15pm, Pulman Arena, Auckland
