After their dismal showing in last year's competition, Auckland have their sights firmly set on the national title this weekend.
Auckland, who didn't even make the top four playoffs last year, go into the weekend's finals series as hot favourites.
Unbeaten in the round robin, they edged out their major
rivals and defending champions Hutt Valley twice last weekend.
But the gap between the two was a mere run, with Auckland winning both games 2-1.
Coach Nardi Leonard says the key difference between the Auckland side this year and last is that this team is much more settled.
"Last year we lost half of our starting lineup through people going overseas and other things.
"There is a really positive attitude from the players, and they want to perform well. There are quite a few in the picture for the White Sox, and they know the world championships are just around the corner so they are putting in a lot of effort."
With Auckland and Hutt Valley expected to contest the final, one player Auckland will need to keep their eye on is Hutt Valley's Czech Republic pitcher Jana Vacikova, who has proved a worthwhile recruit.
The strength of Vacikova's pitching combined with the hitting power of Upu Lote, Nadia Mauriohooho and Api Stone O'Kane make Hutt Valley more than capable of breaking Auckland's unbeaten record in the round robin.
Wellington and Central Vikings, who each scored three wins and five losses in the round robin, complete the top four.
Central and Wellington have the hitting talent to challenge Auckland and Hutt Valley but will rely heavily on the performance of their number one pitchers.
Wellington have White Sox pitcher Lisa Such, while the Vikings will call on the services of fellow international Michal Tangaroa.
National women's league
Finals series, Hataitai Park, Wellington.
Tomorrow:
11am: Game 1, Auckland v Central Vikings.
1pm: Game 2, Hutt Valley v Wellington.
3pm: Game 3, loser game 1 v loser game 2.
5pm: Game 4: winner game 1 v winner game 2.
Sunday :
10am: Game 5, winner game 3 v loser game 4.
Noon: Final: winner game 4 v winner game 5.
