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Botez has MRI on knee

The Hawaii basketball team is awaiting the results of an MRI performed yesterday on the injured knee of center Chris Botez.

The junior sat out yesterday's practice after injuring the knee during Thursday's workout at the Stan Sheriff Center. UH coach Riley Wallace said the injury was initially diagnosed as a deep bruise, but the test was performed to determine if there was any further damage. The results likely won't be available until Monday.

The Rainbow Warriors recruited the 6-foot-11 Botez out of Chemeketa Community College to bolster their front line after losing three-year starter Haim Shimonovich to graduation last season. Botez averaged 12.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.3 blocks last season at Chemeketa.

"It'll affect us because he was running No. 1 at the big man," Wallace said. "You want him back as soon as possible and you just hope it's not something where he has to have surgery.

"He had everything pretty well comprehended. He picks stuff up, he runs the floor and he's in good condition right now. You don't want him to lose any of that stuff, so you just keep your fingers crossed."

Senior swingman Vaidotas Peciukas had knee surgery last week and hopes to be back before the Nov. 23 opener against Mississippi Valley State.

Rice, UTEP headed to Hawaii

Rice and Texas-El Paso secured berths in next week's Western Athletic Conference women's postseason soccer tournament with victories last night.

The Owls edged San Jose State 1-0 and the Miners beat Boise State 2-0. Southern Methodist and Hawaii also are in the tournament leaving two spots still up for grabs

UTEP needs a win or tie against winless Nevada tomorrow to earn the No. 2 seed and a bye in the first round. That would eliminate Hawaii's hopes of finishing second. Should UTEP suffer an upset and lose, the Rainbow Wahine would get the No. 2 seed no matter how Rice does against Fresno State. UH holds the first tiebreaker, head-to-head result in the regular season, over the Owls.

Tulsa and Fresno State, who tied 1-1 yesterday, and Boise State are the teams fighting for the final two berths.

Kahumoku joining Bown in Italy

Former Hawaii All-American Lily Kahumoku will be heading to Italy Nov. 8 to join former Rainbow Wahine teammate Heather Bown on Siciliani Santeramo, a team in the top-level women's volleyball league in Italy.

It will be the second professional team for Kahumoku, who played in Russia earlier this year.

"It's such a wonderful opportunity and I was so excited when Heather called me on Sunday," Kahumoku said. "It's the top league in the world and I have a really good contract. It will be so much fun to play on the same team with Heather again."

Bown's Olympic teammate, Punahou graduate Lindsey Berg, is playing for league rival Scavolini Pesaro. The Italian A-1 season runs through March.

Seasiders sweep water polo matches

Vlada Stankovic had a pair of hat tricks and the Brigham Young-Hawaii water polo team won a pair of matches at Davis, Calif., yesterday.

The Seasiders beat Santa Clara 10-7 in the first round of the UC-Davis Aggie shootout then beat the Washington Club team 18-3 in an exhibition match.

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