One of New Zealand's most decorated Silver Ferns will, yet again, wear the black dress.
After almost two years away from international netball - Ameliaranne Ekenasio has been named not only as part of the squad to face Jamaica in the upcoming Taini Jamison Trophy, but also as captain.
After missing out on the Commonwealth Games, this selection means so much more for the mother of two.
Ekenasio gave birth to her second child last November and admitted the daunting road back left her doubting her own future in the black dress.
"There were definitely some times where it was really really hard," Ekenasio told Newshub.
"Not that I didn't expect it to be on my return journey but there were some points where I was like 'can I do this?'."
The 31–year-old is now officially back in the international fold as part of Dame Noeline Taurua's 12-woman squad for the three-test series against the 'Sunshine Girls'.
But the road to full fitness was even more demanding than Ekenasio had anticipated.
"Mentally, I guess you question what you're doing sometimes, so it was just trying to stay on the course really," she explained.
Ekenasio's inability to meet Dame Noeline's strict fitness requirements meant she missed out on selection for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
She watched the Silver Ferns claim bronze from afar, while taking full advantage of the spare time to get build back to peak condition.
"It's awesome to have her back in the mix," said Taurua. "She brings so much, both on and off court."
With regular captain Gina Crampton on sabbatical, Ekenasio was voted in as skipper by her teammates - the ultimate endorsement from her peers.
Ekenasio hopes the most meaningful selection of her career sends a message to all sporting mothers.
"Knowing that I have two beautiful kids at home that I can play for… I get to show them that you can have a family and you can be a female athlete and do it all."
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