They've enjoyed a rivalry for more than 20 years, on and off the court.

Yesterday, Hawaii coach Dave Shoji got the better of John Dunning, his counterpart at Stanford, at Oahu Country Club. Shoji took full advantage of his hilly and tricky home course, as Dunning—a 5-handicapper who recently had knee surgery—will attest.

Whether that edge carries over to today's Honolulu Advertiser Volleyball Challenge match at the Stan Sheriff Center is another matter. Although No. 6 Hawaii (6-2) leads the series with No. 10 Stanford 17-13, the Cardinal (5-2) have narrowed the gap in dominating fashion. Stanford has won four of the past five meetings, the most recent ending Hawaii's season in the NCAA regional final last Dec. 13.

“;I think Hawaii is a lot different (from last year) and we're really different,”; Dunning said. “;I think it will come down to whoever comes more ready to play and makes fewer mistakes.”;

The tournament's two ranked teams were rarely pushed in yesterday's matches. As 3,573 watched, the Rainbow Wahine disposed of Texas-San Antonio in 82 minutes, 25-15, 25-9, 25-14, while the Cardinal swept Weber State in 74 minutes 25-16, 25-20, 25-16.

UTSA (3-7) and Weber State (1-8) meet for third place in today's 5 p.m. opener. As of last night, 6,732 tickets had been sold.

Wahine setter Dani Mafua would buy a ticket if she had to.

“;It's definitely a revenge thing against them,”; said the junior after running the offense to a season-high .500. “;We definitely want to beat them.”;

Freshman middle Brittany Hewitt and sophomore hitter Kanani Danielson each had 10 kills, with one error between them. Shoji used all 13 players who were available, putting in a nearly new unit in Set 3.

“;I thought it went smoothly,”; he said of the substitutions. “;They all work hard and need to play in a game situation.”;

As for tonight? Shoji agreed it was a new year and two different teams.

“;For me, it's not about last year, although the number '9' sticks in my head,”; he said of the 25-9 Set 2 loss last year. “;They've got a great tradition, great coaching, great players.

“;It's a challenge. It's why we play the game.”;

Stanford 3, Weber State 0

The Wildcats enjoyed several moral victories against the Cardinal, including having Dunning call a timeout with his team trailing 11-8 in Set 1.

Stanford finally got things going behind junior setter-hitter Cassidy Lichtman, who was two digs away from a triple-double (10 kills, 17 assists, eight digs).

Jenna Leggat led WSU with 11 kills.

Note

Hawaii last defeated Stanford in five at the Sheriff Center in 2003. The Cardinal have won the NCAA title and finished second twice in the five years since.