You can imagine that, with less than a year before the biggest netball tournament in four years, the only time Ruth Aitken would like to see her star defender on the beach is under an umbrella reading her training manual.
That's not Anna Scarlett's way. Sand is goodfor only one thing - beach volleyball. Netball New Zealand know better than to argue.
"Netball New Zealand have been really good," Scarlett said. "They understand that's a really good break for me. We've talked about it and it's been a very mature conversation. They raise issues . . . I address them.
"With the worlds in November, that's another four months of hard preparation so you need a mental break to refresh and peak at certain times. Volleyball does just that for me."
Scarlett and partner Susan Blundell are through to this morning's semifinals after a straight sets - 21-12, 21-18 - victory over New Zealand youngsters Rachel Morgan and Hannah Croad yesterday.
Scarlett and Blundell are hoping to become the first local pairing to win the New Zealand Open. Scarlett said they have been struggling for consistency, which she puts down to the fact she hasn't been able to prepare as thoroughly this summer.
