Hawaii Beat Star-Bulletin staff

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Waipio a win away from Series

Waipio is a win away from a trip to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Waipio beat Northern California 8-0 yesterday to earn a spot in the regional final against Nevada. The game will be televised live on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. Hawaii time.

If Waipio beats the team that dealt it its only loss of the tournament, it will head straight to the World Series, which begins Aug. 15. » B8

Expanded Olympic coverage set

Beginning tomorrow, the Star-Bulletin begins its expanded coverage of the Beijing Olympics with a daily four-page wraparound highlighting the key moments and images from the Games. The expanded coverage will continue through Aug. 24.

Houston on top of preseason list

Preseason awards don't mean much, not when the real goal - a national title - is some four months away. Still, yesterday's announcement of the preseason All-Western Athletic Conference volleyball selections gave Hawaii an added boost going into today's first practice.

Led by senior hitter Jamie Houston repeating as the preseason player of the year, the Rainbow Wahine landed three selections. Also picked for the 12-member team were junior hitter Aneli Cubi-Otineru and junior middle Amber Kaufman.

"It's an honor, but what matters is what happens the rest of the year," said Houston, who was second in the country in kills (5.51 kpg) last season. "It's the last chance for the national championship and that's what I want."

Houston, the preseason choice last year, went on to earn the regular-season honor as well.

Complete team in Scoreboard