[ WAHINE SOFTBALL ]
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Denise Dahlberg and the Rainbow Wahine open play today.
UH pumped up
for season
Denise Dahlberg can't live without the butterflies in her stomach.
The junior catcher for the Rainbow Wahine softball team thrives on being uneasy. On the eve of the Hawaii season, Dahlberg was nearly bursting with nervousness.
"I'm so excited. This is the most excited I've ever been before a season," an exuberant Dahlberg said yesterday. "I have to be nervous to play well. When I don't feel nervous, I'm not happy about that. I need the adrenaline. I feel like I have a lot more energy and I like to play with a lot of energy."
UH softball
Who: UH, BYU, No. 23 Oregon St., No. 25 Tennessee, St. Mary's, Alabama-Birmingham
Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
When: Today, UH vs. BYU, 6 p.m.; Tomorrow, Tennessee vs. St. Mary's 2 p.m.; BYU vs. OSU 4 p.m.; UH vs. UAB 6 p.m.
TV/Radio: None
The adrenaline will be coursing through the second-team All-WAC performer as Hawaii begins its season today in the Hawaii Paradise Classic.
The Rainbow Wahine face Brigham Young at 6 p.m. today at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. It is the first meeting between the two schools that are rivals in most other sports. Also competing in the tournament are two ranked teams in No. 23 Oregon State and No. 25 Tennessee and up-and-coming programs St. Mary's and University of Alabama-Birmingham.
The potpourri of teams is an excellent opportunity for Hawaii coach Bob Coolen to gauge what he's got. UH has seven starters back and eight freshmen who could make an impact right away.
"Everyone is anxious to see what we can do against Division I teams. We know what our starting lineup is going to be like, but we have so many role players who are anxious to prove their worth," said Coolen, who is in his 13th season as Hawaii's head coach.
"Alana Power has come back and she's hitting the ball real well. Tyleen Tausaga has worked herself into the lineup as a designated player. Tara Harbert has been phenomenal on the base paths as a pinch runner."
He'll need all his role players and more if Hawaii is going to defend its Western Athletic Conference championship.
Coolen already knows what he'll miss most from his 2003 team -- super stud Kate Judd and school home run leader Stacey Porter. Judd, a two-time WAC Player of the Year, finished her elite career last season and is an assistant with this year's team. Porter is with the Australian national team for a year.
Coolen's outfield returned intact with All-WAC right fielder Tracie Uchima, left fielder Justina Kahuku and center fielder Marie Jackson. But his infield was depleted with the loss of Judd, Porter and third baseman Trisha Ramos. Junior second baseman Noelle Izumi is the lone returning infield starter.
In the pitcher's circle, juniors Melissa Coogan (32-11, 1.42 ERA) and Shannon Tabion (6-8, 2.46 ERA) both return. But without the powerful bat of Porter behind them, there will be less margin for error.
"It was guaranteed every time Porter was up to bat that something was going to happen," Coogan said. "We don't have that anymore, but you can't rely on one person."
Not many would have given Hawaii a chance to win the WAC last year with the loss of its pitching ace and an experienced catcher. But UH won't catch anyone off guard now.
"We have bull's eyes in front and back of us this year," Coolen said. "We are a targeted team. Everyone is going to want to beat the defending WAC champs."
Dahlberg is upbeat about Hawaii's chances to defend its crown. And she's happy the coaches picked Hawaii to finish second behind Fresno State.
"When we were picked second, I think everyone was a little disappointed seeing as we won last season," the team co-captain said. "I couldn't be happier."
