Rainbow Wahine face
tough schedule

Hawaii's already tough 2005 schedule apparently will get even tougher.

The Rainbow Wahine are expected to compete in the reorganized AVCA/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase, Aug. 26-27. Although the field and site have not been announced, it is anticipated the event will be at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb., site of the 2006 NCAA volleyball final four.

Hawaii coach Dave Shoji would not confirm his team's participation but did say the Wahine were being considered for the four-team field. It would be Hawaii's fourth appearance in the 11 years of the event, formerly known as the State Farms National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators Volleyball Classic.

Hawaii hosted the tournament in 2003 and is 3-3 in three appearances in the traditional season-opening event.

The Rainbow Wahine open their home schedule with the 18th Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic on Sept. 1-4. The field includes 2004 NCAA semifinalist Southern California, Penn State and Western Michigan.

The Sept. 8-10 Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Challenge features UCLA, Cal State Northridge and Cincinnati. The nonconference home schedule includes two matches each with NCAA semifinalist Washington and Loyola Marymount.

2005 schedule

September
1: HAL Classic, USC vs. Penn State, Western Michigan vs. Hawaii. 2: USC vs. Western Michigan, Penn State vs. Hawaii. 3: Penn State vs. Western Michigan. 4: USC vs. Hawaii.
8: Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Challenge, CSU Northridge vs. UCLA, Cincinnati vs. Hawaii. 9: Cincinnati vs. UCLA, CSU Northridge vs. Hawaii. 10: Cincinnati vs. CSU Northridge, UCLA vs. Hawaii.
16-17: Washington. 22: x-Boise State. 23-24 Loyola Marymount. 29: x-at Louisiana Tech.

October
1: x-at New Mexico State. 7: x-Fresno State. 8: x-Nevada. 13: x-at Idaho. 15: x-at Boise State. 20: x-Utah State. 22: x-San Jose State. 27: x-at Nevada. 29: x-at Fresno State.

November
5: x-Idaho. 9: x-at Utah State. 12: x-at San Jose State. 17: x-New Mexico State. 19: x-Louisiana Tech. 24-26: at WAC Tournament, TBA.

December
1-4: NCAA first and second rounds, TBA. 8-11: NCAA Regional, TBA. 15 & 17: NCAA Championship, San Antonio.

x-denotes WAC match