When is a day off more than a day off? When it doesn't include hours in an airport and a long plane ride home.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of hosting last week's Western Athletic Conference volleyball tournament was that Hawaii didn't have to travel before playing its next match. Yesterday was all about staying put for the Rainbow Wahine, including remaining at No. 6 in the AVCA Coaches Top 25.

Instead of shaking off jet lag today, Hawaii (26-3) headed into practice rested and ready to prepare for this week's matches against Cal Poly (16-11). While the Wahine know they are in the NCAA tournament—thanks to the automatic berth that came with winning the WAC tournament title Sunday—the Mustangs likely need at least one victory this week to advance to the postseason.

Saturday, Cal Poly dropped its Big West season ender at UC Irvine to finish third in the conference behind Long Beach State and UCI. As of the Nov. 9 Ratings Percentage Index, the Mustangs were at No. 51; the NCAA field is 64.

“;I think Cal Poly has a sense of urgency this week,”; Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. “;Their NCAA life is on the line. If they don't beat us, they might not get in.

“;We want to win out, feel good about ourselves going into the playoffs. We're home for a third week, which is huge in our preparation. We'll be well rested after Thanksgiving and should be good to go.”;

Hawaii, at No. 16 in the RPI, will learn its postseason fate Sunday. Although UH has put in a bid to host next week's first and second rounds, given the economy, it is unlikely the Wahine will host for the first time since 2003.

“;If the NCAA wants to give us a first and second round, great,”; Shoji said. “;But we're prepared to go back on the road.”;

But that's next week. This week is partly about celebrating being home for the holiday, from volunteering to serve Thanksgiving dinner Thursday as part of community service to having players' families here for Friday's senior night festivities for Tara Hittle, Jamie Houston, Jessica Keefe and Nickie Thomas.

It's also about Hawaii continuing to improve, building off what Shoji called the team's best match of the season. The Wahine were focused and steady in the 25-19, 25-27, 25-18, 25-9 victory that snapped the Aggies' 15-match winning streak Sunday.

Hawaii has history with Cal Poly, some of it not good. In 1989 the Mustangs—coached by current UH men's volleyball coach Mike Wilton—snapped the Wahine's Klum Gym winning streak at 55.

Cal Poly also pulled a bit of a stunner in its last visit here in 2006, outlasting then-No. 12 Hawaii in five. The Mustangs trailed in Game 5 12-9 and 14-11 before winning 17-15.

Hawaii leads the series with its former PCAA/Big West rival 27-4.

Against common opponents this season, the Wahine defeated Minnesota and St. Mary's, teams the Mustangs lost to, while Hawaii beat Pacific and Cal Poly split its Big West matches with the Tigers.

The Mustangs feature three of the top servers in the Big West in senior opposite Kylie Atherstone (61 aces), junior hitter Ashleigh Bertoni (25) and freshman hitter Caitlin Smith (21). Senior middle Jaclyn Houston (123 blocks) anchors the best blocking team in the conference and leads the Big West in hitting percentage (.390). Atherstone is second in kills (3.72 kps).