Watanabe’s season
ends with broken
ring finger

Teisa Fotu will take over for the
team’s best back-row defender

FORT COLLINS, Colo. » When Ashley Watanabe looks at her new cast, she doesn't see a season-ending injury. She sees a holiday decoration.

NCAA Volleyball Tournament At Fort Collins, Colo. FIRST ROUND Who: Hawaii (28-0) vs. Colorado (14-13); Purdue (16-14) vs. Colorado State (26-3) When: Today, 2 & 4 p.m. TV: Live, KFVE (Ch. 5) Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM (Hawaii match only) SECOND ROUND Who: Today's winners When: Tomorrow, 4 p.m. TV: Live, KFVE, Ch. 5 (if Hawaii plays) Radio: Live, KKEA 1420-AM (if Hawaii plays)

"It's very pretty and festive," Watanabe said of her green cast decorated with a snowman and other seasonal figures. "I do smile when I look at it."

But it's not a happy situation for Watanabe or her Hawaii volleyball teammates. The Rainbow Wahine went into today's NCAA first-round match against Colorado without the services of their junior libero, who leads the team in digs and is third in service aces.

Watanabe injured her right ring finger in Tuesday's practice when, diving for a ball, she slid her hand into the back of teammate Victoria Prince's heel. X-rays taken yesterday revealed a spiral fracture that is going to require surgery and a screw insertion.

"I have some options right now," Watanabe said. "I could fly back as soon as possible to get the surgery started. But I want to stay with the team as long as possible. I want to be with them."

If Hawaii wins today, the Wahine would play again tomorrow for the right to advance to next week's regional in Green Bay, Wis. Win or lose, the team plans to return home to allow the players to attend two days of class next week.

For Watanabe, the year is over, leaving her eight digs short of the single-season school record. She will end up No. 3 with 430, behind Teee Williams (437, 1988) and Kim Willoughby (432, 2001).

Watanabe will, however, finish this year with a single-season record. Her dig average of 4.22 dpg eclipses Willoughby's 3.66 set in 2001.

Watanabe's absence does deal Hawaii's lineup a blow, forcing some rotation changes.

Senior utility player Teisa Fotu, who has one start as a libero this season, will replace Watanabe.

"She's so positive and up-beat about the whole thing," said Fotu, who is rooming with Watanabe on this trip. "Her attitude is amazing. She says, 'You have to roll with the punches.' "

"I feel badly for Ashley," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "She's worked hard to be in a position to play in an NCAA game and she's not going to be able to do it. It's a real tough break for her. It takes away some options for us, but we should be OK. We can move people around. It's just not the way we're used to playing."