Volleyball players look at the school calendar differently. While the fall semester is about mid-terms and finals for all students, the Rainbow Wahine have their own set of grade checks when it comes to midseason progress and the one big final test called the NCAA tournament.

For Hawaii's seniors, finals takes on a different meaning. Everything is the final this or the final that. Take October. It's the final time Jayme Lee will be on the first road trip of the season.

“;I never thought my senior year would come as a volleyball player,”; the senior libero-defensive specialist said. “;Looking back on making the team that first day ... it's still so surreal.”;

After redshirting in 2005, Lee found herself starting 34 of the 35 matches at libero in 2006 and earned a spot on the WAC all-freshman team. Lee - generously listed at 5-foot-2 - has been used as a reserve the past two seasons but continues to wow the crowds and her teammates with her quickness and all-out effort in going after balls.

“;The best bump setter in the nation,”; senior middle Amber Kaufman said. “;She works so hard and always has a positive attitude. She never gives up on balls.”;

“;My roommate is always busy,”; added senior setter Stephanie Brandt. “;And she's really sweet.”;

Whatever her role is this season, Lee is committed to give 110 percent. This is her final season; she'll graduate in May with a degree in kinesiology and hopes to go on to med school.

There might be an exit treat for Lee in October: Coach Dave Shoji's 1,000th career victory could come sometime during the month.

“;Everyone knows him across the country, outside of Hawaii he is big,”; Lee said. “;People have actually asked me, 'You know Dave Shoji?'

“;Sometimes even I can't believe I know Dave Shoji, that I play for this awesome coach. Being part of the team that gives him his 1,000th win is special, a big honor, and it's something I'll be proud to take away from my time here.”;

As for the trick of her final season, it's getting to the final four.

“;We've been so close since I've been here,”; Lee said. “;It's all about how much we want it. We don't think about how good we are as a team.

“;We need to remember we have 'HAWAII' on the backs of our uniforms. Every single time we step on the court we need to think about what that means. It's a name that should be in the final four.”;