Starting outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell, who helped the Hawaii women's volleyball team reach the final four last December, requested and was given her release from the program.

“;She was a contributor to our program, but she decided she wanted to go elsewhere,”; Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said yesterday. “;We're comfortable with that decision and wish her well in her new endeavor.”;

The Locke High graduate from Los Angeles redshirted in 2007 and overcame injuries to earn a starting spot this past season. She started 31 of 35 matches as a sophomore and was second in kills en route to All-Western Athletic Conference second-team honors.

Ferrell, who recently became engaged, was not available for comment.

Shoji said he did not know where Ferrell would transfer but that he had received inquiries from Arizona and UNLV.

Hawaii will play Arizona in the March 18 spring exhibition match.