LUCKNOW, Aug. 13 -- Uttar Pradesh's women's hockey team arrive at the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship at Pune determined to upgrade their maiden bronze medal they won last time, carrying renewed ambition, fresh energy and a leadership core that believes a podium finish is only the starting point. Led by a spirited captain Vandana Patel, the squad trained intensely at the Padma Shri Mohd Shahid Stadium here under coaches Jitendra Singh Bhadauriya and Akram, who say the players possess the energy and the guts to push for a top finish. Uttar Pradesh have been drafted in Pool C with Hockey Maharashtra and Manipur Hockey. Vandana Patel, a steadying presence in the midfield, has been instrumental both on and off the pitch. Her calm distribution, tactical awareness and ability to marshal younger teammates make her a natural leader for a side that mixes experienced campaigners with promising newcomers from across the state. Patel's leadership will be tested against strong opposition, but the team's preparation and unity give them belief that they can contend for silver or gold. Coach Jitendra Singh Bhadauriya has stressed an aggressive, high-intensity approach in training. He said that his focus has been on fitness, quick transition play and penalty-corner routines - areas he identifies as decisive at this level. "The girls are energetic and have the guts to make an emphatic finish," Bhadauriya said. TEAM Aradhana Rajbhar, Navroop Kaur, Anju Yadav, Manisha Patel, Shraddha Chauhan, Payal Sonkar, Kavita Vishwakarma, Richa Yadav, Pragya Patel, Khushi Upadhyay, Rashmi Patel, Vibha, Lucky Kumari, Aparajita Singh, Vandana Patel (captain), Shweta Upadhyay, Shikha Tewari and Annu....