Top contenders for the women's national squash singles crown began preliminary rounds in the 41st annual championship tourney last night in Hemenway gym.

Gretchen Spruance of Philadelphia, seeded number one, and Marigold Edwards, a former New Zealand champ and now second-ranked player in the United States, lead the tourney's 32 entries.

Virginia Akabane '69, entered the tournament seeded third, just edging out 15-year-old Gail Ramsey of Bala Cynwd, Pa., who is ranked third nationally, and fourth in the championship contest.

"Akabane should be the player to watch," Perla Hewes, Radcliffe squash coach said last night. "She's the fastest rising squash star in the country."

Prominent New England entries include Jane Slocum of Cambridge, ranked ninth nationally, and Agnes Bixler of Hanover, N.H., ranked seventh. Lee Howard, the Radcliffe squash team's top player, and coach Hewes are also entered.

Quarterfinals begin at 1:30 p.m. today, with the semifinals beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday and finals at 2 p.m. Sunday.