Dita Liepkalne wouldn't trade it for anything.

The tumult of a coaching change prior to her final season in a Hawaii basketball uniform. The arduous (and ongoing) rehab of her knees. Even the black eye.

It all made her stronger. When she reflects back, Liepkalne is grateful to have been a Rainbow Wahine—despite all the hardships she and teammates have endured in this transition year.

“;I have learned so much, I have grown as a person, as a player, just mentally, physically, everything, tremendously,”; Liepkalne said. “;I have some very, very good friends I will probably keep in touch with the rest of my life.”;

The co-captain's moment in the spotlight is tonight; she'll be the lone Wahine honored during senior night festivities after UH's game vs. Boise State. Tip-off is at 7 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Beating the Broncos (17-9, 6-6) in UH's final home game for the second straight season would do more than break a six-game losing streak and keep the Wahine safely ahead of last-place San Jose State for the final WAC tournament berth.

Liepkalne treasures the memory of last year's thrilling senior night upset win over BSU, courtesy of a Keisha Kanekoa buzzer-beater in the lane. Why not one more as a going-away gift? Once she graduates this semester in speech, she'll return to her native Latvia to play professionally.

“;This year's been different in many aspects,”; Liepkalne said. “;New coaches, new atmosphere on the team. The girls are more experienced, know what they're doing. But I'm just happy I could be part of all this. I'm happy, I'm sad, I have all these different emotions. But I think I'm ready to take a step forward and move to the next level.”;

She maintains it was luck, and not her all-around game, that led her to the islands from Riga, Latvia, to play basketball. Liepkalne didn't speak much English when she arrived in the U.S. as a high school junior, but that didn't stop her from excelling on teams in Colorado and Texas, and earning a scholarship to UH under Jim Bolla in 2006-07.

As tough of a season as it's been for the 9-18 (3-11 WAC) Wahine in Dana Takahara-Dias' first season as coach, UH would surely be in worse straits if not for the 6-foot forward's combination of scoring, rebounding and passing. She has three career double-doubles, and her senior numbers—7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game—are impressive considering she willed herself through left knee surgery just before the season's start.

Takahara-Dias calls Liepkalne the team's utility player for her court versatility and willingness to adapt to new leadership.

“;Dita probably has had the toughest road to get to this team, because of her challenges she had physically,”; the coach said. “;And it's not an easy thing going into the season knowing you'll be the only senior, with a new coaching staff. There must have been a lot of apprehension, a lot of unknowns, questions that couldn't be answered until actually getting into the season. So we give credit where credit is due.”;

Liepkalne's taken her lumps along the way, too, including an opponent's elbow to the face that left her with a black eye for several games. And despite trouble in both knees, Liepkalne hasn't missed a game since her sophomore season, putting her just outside the Wahine career top 10 in games and minutes played.

That and her cheery personality have lent her an affectionate nickname.

“;We call her 'Grandma Di' sometimes. All her injuries,”; said Kanekoa, the other co-captain, with a chuckle.

“;That's funny. I mean, I am almost the oldest one on the team and probably have the most experience,”; Liepkalne said. “;I know the way how it's said, 'Grandma Di,' it's in a good sense.”;

Kanekoa, the point guard, turned serious when asked about sending off another senior class (of one) the right way.

“;Big win, for Big Di. It means a lot,”; Kanekoa said. “;She's worked hard for the four years she's been here.”;