For the first time in three weeks, the University of Hawaii women's volleyball team doesn't have a ranked opponent to worry about. The top-ranked Wahine, however, must contend with the challenge of having one day to prepare for their third consecutive tournament, the Aston's Imua Challenge, which opens tomorrow at the Special Events Arena.

"I am concerned about the quick turnaround," said Hawaii coach Dave Shoji, whose team remained No. 1 in the USA Today/AVCA coaches poll released yesterday. "Our team constantly needs to practice our fundamentals, otherwise we don't play well. It does concern me that we have just today to practice.

"The nice thing is I know we can play at a high level. I'm very confident that our seniors and juniors, who have been through this before, will show up to play."

The Wahine showed up with a business-like attitude Monday in dispatching No. 6 UCLA in 91 minutes for the title of the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic. They held Bruins to 16 total points (15-5, 15-2, 15-9) with spectacular defense and startling efficiency.

This week's competition will be a notch below that of the previous two weeks. Only Cal State-Sacramento comes in with a winning record (2-1) while both Rhode Island and Santa Clara are 1-1.

Of the three, Shoji gives the edge to Sacramento, which had little problem in beating San Jose State last weekend, 15-6, 15-8, 15-6.

"Sac State is going to be very competitive," Shoji said. "Rhode Island has a bunch of starters back from last year. Santa Clara is in transition, struggling with injuries and looking for a setter."

Shoji has no such problems at the setter position. Yesterday, senior Robyn Ah Mow was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the Pacific Division.

The All-American had 118 assists, 28 digs and had Hawaii hitting .382 in three wins over UCLA, Louisville and Michigan. She was named the Classic MVP.

"Robyn is so smooth, you take her for granted," Shoji said. "She gets to every ball, makes something really good happen with almost every kind of pass. It's phenomenal."

A look at the visiting teams:

The Rams defeated Wyoming, 13-15, 15-3, 15-13, 15-8, behind 20 kills by sophomore hitter Angela McHenry. Rhode Island, picked to win the Atlantic 10 this year, then was routed by the host 49ers, 15-1, 15-2, 15-7.

Bob Schneck is in his 16th season with the Rams (314-201).

Junior setter Jessica Salmans already holds the school record for most assists in a single-season. She needs 111 to reach the 3,000-assist mark and 627 to become the Rams' all-time career leader.

The Rams are 0-1 against the Wahine. Their only meeting was at the 1977 AIAW National Tournament, a match won by Hawaii, 2-0

Coach Annie Feller is in her fourth season (43-43). Santa Clara finished fourth in the West Coast Conference last year.

Coming home as a senior hitter for the Broncos is Kamehameha Schools product Auli'i Ellis, who had 19 kills in Saturday's loss to Fullerton. She was a second-team all-WCC pick last year.

Whether by design or default, senior Thira Icaza has emerged as the Broncos' setter after freshman Roz Pelayo went down with a season-ending injury and two-year starter Keri Wehner did not return to the team. Icaza had a career-high 67 assists in the win over the Anteaters Friday.

Hawaii has a 2-0 edge over Santa Clara, the last meeting coming in 1983.

The Hornets also beat Oklahoma before losing to No. 14 Pacific in straight sets. Sac State is coached by Debby Colberg.

The Wahine and the Hornets have never met.

What: Aston's Imua Challenge
Where: UH Special Events Arena
Tomorrow: Santa Clara vs. CSU-Sacramento, 5:30 p.m.; Rhode Island vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m.
Friday: Santa Clara vs. Rhode Island, 5:30 p.m.; CSU-Sacramento vs. Hawaii, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: CSU-Sacramento vs. Rhode Island, 11 a.m.
Sunday: Santa Clara vs. Hawaii, 6 p.m.
Broadcasts: All Hawaii matches live on KFVE (Channel 5) and KCCN (1420-AM)
Tickets: Available at Special Events Arena