The true definition of a team?

According to Tara Hittle, it is “;everyone working hard to get better together, helping each other out.”;

The true definition of a team player?

According to the players on the eighth-ranked Hawaii volleyball team, it's Hittle.

The senior hitter-turned-libero has embraced the position on defense with the same energy, enthusiasm and success that made her the 2004 Western Athletic Conference freshman of the year as an outside hitter.

“;Tara is an amazing outside hitter,”; Rainbow Wahine senior middle Nickie Thomas said. “;But she's also an amazing all-around player, which is a lot harder to do. I can't play back row.

“;We really needed her at libero. She stepped up and has done a great job. Some people might not think that it's as important as outside hitter, but some of the best players in the country are liberos. And she brings great energy. She has a good time and it's contagious.”;

That the 6-foot Hittle is roaming the backcourt in the different colored jersey wasn't by design. A preseason injury to sophomore libero Elizabeth Ka'aihue had Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji looking to Hittle, who had played the position for four matches as a sophomore.

“;It was done out of necessity,”; Shoji said. “;She had played the position before and, when Liz got hurt, Hittle was the best option.

“;She's always been a good defender. She has the range that you like to have at that position. Obviously she's been successful at it. She's still there and it's nothing I'm willing to change right now.”;

Hittle, however, did have to change her mind-set. She was used to being aggressive on offense, whether it was volleyball or basketball, the two sports she excelled in at Doherty High in Colorado.

“;It is different as far as not being able to hit,”; Hittle said. “;You have to block that totally out of your mind.

“;I think it helps to have been a hitter. As a defender I see how a hitter sets up on the other side. I know what I would do. You play off of that and it helps me move to the right spot.”;

Hittle has 186 digs on the season, 1,174 for her career. She ranks fourth on the UH career list, 46 away from former All-America setter Kanoe Kamana'o.

Versatility could be Hittle's middle name. She currently is on a basketball scholarship and again will join the Rainbow Wahine as a small forward once volleyball season is done.

Last month, when junior hitter Aneli Cubi-Otineru was sidelined with an illness, Hittle moved back to the outside, putting down eight kills at San Jose State. Last Saturday against Fresno State, one of her digs went over and landed for a kill, giving her 16 for the season.

“;Brought my hitting average up with that,”; said Hittle, known for her wisecracks and jokes.

Her unselfishness has impressed freshman hitter Kanani Danielson.

“;She's so positive,”; Danielson said. “;She had to make that big leap and she's done great. We're in the back row together and she's always there to help me out. We have a really good connection.”;

A foot injury sidelined Hittle after five matches in 2006. She was granted a medical hardship, allowing her a fifth season of volleyball. It also allows her a senior night with the two other players who constitute UH's recruiting class of 2004: Thomas and outside hitter Jessica Keefe, who both redshirted their first year.

“;Things happen for a reason,”; Hittle said. “;There are definitely more positives to come out of (the injury) than negatives, although it was hard to sit out and not play.

“;Last year definitely wasn't our best and it's good that my career didn't end on that note.”;

Hittle, a health and physical education major, hopes to continue her volleyball career after graduating. There are thoughts of playing overseas and maybe the U.S. national team, trying out as a libero.

But that's another chapter for another time. The book is still open for this season, which continues tonight against Nevada.

“;It is getting down to crunch time,”; Hittle said. “;There is a sense of urgency. It's up to us as to how good we can get in a month and a half. We've been working so hard as a team. It would be hard not to get better.”;