Ballarat Pride's last one just plain stung.

The team spent a solid training session on Sunday regrouping, ironing out the kinks and preparing for tonight's assignment - a meeting with Mountain Districts.

Pride is fighting to keep its top-two footing in Netball Victoria's state league division one and will be tested against the middle-of-the-road Districts, whose high pressure and flashy play has upset Pride before.

Mind games were Pride's problem last week against Bayside Stingers and Ballarat coach Jo Dash said the only solution was for Pride to play its own game again.

"We have to take control from the word go and when we have done that things have worked out really well for us," Dash said.

"Players know we are a top two team and this is why we must prove it.

"We know we're capable but so does everyone else and they'll be looking to stop that."

Pride players identified their trademark defensive pressure as "off the boil" and their attacking line unsettled, in the wake of last week's shock loss.

Playing sharp, direct netball will be crucial from the opening whistle tonight.

In their last encounter with Districts, Pride posted its worst opening quarter for the season, a 6-17 loss, and the damage proved too hard to mend.

Pride's depth will also be pushed to the limits with the "mid-winter blues" taking its toll on players' form, Dash said.

Questions still surround sharp shooter Sue Nalder's return under the ring.

Nalder did not train this week and was a late withdrawal last week with the flu.

Fellow goaler Georgia Cann looks set to line-up after resting from weekend netball duties with an ankle injury.

Vice-captain Melissa Beaston has been named in the squad but remains in doubt to play with a niggling calf injury.

Defender Kate Schippers has been cleared to return to the circle from a back injury that forced her to pull out of last week's match.

Dash said the rest of the squad was in prime condition and with August only days away, the smell of finals has boosted team spirit.

"We are emerging out of the fog," Dash said.

"We have four matches to go and an interesting run home.

"Mentally we just need to get over hurdles like Districts and Palladians so we are primed for finals."