So what does the University of Hawaii Wahine volleyball team have to worry about when finishing the regular season on the road this weekend at San Jose State and Fresno State?
In a word: Itself.
"What's important is that we can't look past these last two matches to the WAC Tournament," said Hawaii coach Dave Shoji, whose third-ranked team is working on a 17-match road winning streak. "Both San Jose and Fresno have improved since we last saw them and both places can be tough places to play.
"We've gone hard in practice this week, not only for these matches but also in preparation for the tournament. With us possibly playing five matches in eight days, we won't get much time to practice."
Practice could make perfect for the Wahine, who are looking to finish conference play unbeaten for the second year in a row. Hawaii (27-1 overall, 14-0 WAC) has won its last 33 league matches, dating back to a loss to UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 10, 1994.
Hawaii has never lost in six visits to Fresno. The lone defeat in 12 matches at San Jose came in the 1993 Big West Conference opener for both teams.
Spartan coach Craig Choate said his team has nothing to lose and will play loose tomorrow. The season goal for the young San Jose State team was to qualify for the WAC tournament. The Spartans likely will be seeded 11th in the 12-team field.
"What a way to close out the season, Hawaii and San Diego State," said Choate, whose team finishes the regular season against the top two teams in the Pacific Division. "To be honest, this weekend is not important to us. Next week is because that's our only chance of getting into the NCAA tournament with the automatic bid. Of course we'd like to win these next two, but it's not realistic. I'll be happy to play them real tough and go into next week feeling good about ourselves.
"It would take a minor miracle to beat Hawaii. (Senior setter Robyn) Ah Mow and (senior blocker Angelica) Ljungquist are scary, just so good. And they've got a nice supporting cast. They've got too many people on that team that you can't shut them all down."
Fresno State coach Lindy Vivas echoed Choate's feeling about stopping the Wahine.
"We're looking at improving our seed in the tournament and our focus is on beating San Diego State Friday," said Vivas, a Punahou School product.
"We can't realistically pin our seeding hopes on beating Hawaii, but I feel we can upset San Diego State. That will help us move up."
The top four seeds - at this point, is Hawaii, San Diego State, Brigham Young and New Mexico - have a bye into Wednesday's quarterfinals. Seeds 5-12 have first-round matches on Tuesday.
The Wahine will be seeded no lower than No. 2. Their biggest concern is avoiding a loss over the next 10 days that could jeopardize their regional ranking that determines postseason hosts.
The cost is $23 for upper-level seats and $29 for lower-level seats. Single-event tickets will only be sold on the day of the event if any seats remain.
Postseason tournament ticket forms are being mailed to season ticket holders, allowing them to purchase ticket packages until Nov. 29 for only the number of season tickets they own.
The NCAA tournament field will be announced on Dec. 1.
Today: No. 3 Hawaii (27-1 overall, 14-0 in the WAC) at San Jose State (10-17, 5-9), 5 p.m.
Saturday: Hawaii at FresnoState (10-17, 9-5).
Broadcasts: Live on KCCN radio (1420-AM). No TV.