Some observers were struck by the subdued nature of the celebrations.

Hawaii's title-clinching victories in the Western Athletic Conference softball tournament and NCAA regionals ended with cheers and hugs, but without the exuberant displays that often accompany such feats.

Though they've savored the accomplishments along the way, the Rainbow Wahine have rolled through the postseason with a business-like demeanor that could prove particularly useful heading into today's super-regional opener against top-seeded Alabama.

“;They're focused,”; UH head coach Bob Coolen said. “;We're not a rah-rah team, we haven't stormed the field and knocked each other down when we've won games.

“;(Winning the WAC) was one of their goals. This is probably the biggest goal. This is by far the biggest challenge.”;

The 16th-seeded Wahine (47-13) enter their second super regional in four years with the program's first Women's College World Series berth just ahead, but with a formidable Crimson Tide team obstructing their path to Oklahoma City.

Hawaii's run into the second weekend of the NCAA tournament also provides rare national coverage. Today's 12:30 p.m. (Hawaii time) opener will be televised on ESPNU. Tomorrow's 11 a.m. game will be shown on ESPN, as would the if-necessary game at 1:30 p.m.

“;It'll be good for our players to get that exposure,”; Coolen said. “;This is good for the program and it's good for the University of Hawaii. But I told the players, 'You're getting the exposure you deserve, but don't let it distract you.' “;

Just as Hawaii — 25-2 since the end of its nonconference schedule — has kept its gaze from wandering, Alabama (51-9) has remained focused through a school record 27-game winning streak.

“;We hardly ever talk about it,”; Alabama coach Patrick Murphy said. “;We have 12 sophomores and freshmen and we start one senior and one junior. Everybody's just really young and it's a good thing because I don't think some of them really realize what's going on. Each game is a different game and it's kind of like Groundhog Day, just keep doing the same thing over and over and we've been lucky enough to win.”;

Hawaii and Alabama have met three times previously, the most recent coming last year in the Cathedral City Classic in California. Hawaii's Stephanie Ricketts, then a freshman, struck out 11 and shut out the Tide for seven innings before Alabama pulled out a 1-0 win in the eighth.

But any scouting report from that game has faded in relevance regarding this weekend's matchup.

“;It's two teams that are totally different (since that game), but it was a very good game, I do remember that,”; Murphy said. “;Ricketts did a great job.”;

Among the most notable changes appear at the top of the batting orders, with both teams featuring dynamic freshmen with distinctly differing styles.

Hawaii's Kelly Majam enters the week hitting .403, tied for the national lead with 29 home runs, setting a powerful tone for a UH lineup with an NCAA-record 149 homers this season. Alabama's Kayla Braud is hitting .506 and has stolen 43 bases in 48 attempts. In contrast, UH has attempted just 22 steals as a team.

UH third baseman Melissa Gonzalez, a .392 hitter in the regular season, has picked up her production in the postseason. The junior hit .538 (14-for-26) with 13 RBIs and five home runs in the WAC tournament and regionals, raising her season average to a team-best .411 and moving into fourth nationally with 25 homers.

“;We did really well in the WAC (when the Wahine hit .357 with 65 homers) and it's just rolling into the postseason,”; Gonzalez said. “;I've just gotten really comfortable and used to everything, and I just try to go up there with a clear mind.”;

Gonzalez and Alabama senior Charlotte Morgan — the SEC player of the year — were teammates at Valley View (Calif.) High. Morgan is hitting .347 and leads the Tide with 16 homers and 67 RBIs.

“;It'll be cool,”; Gonzalez said. “;We were friends in high school, so it'll be nice to see her again.”;