2013-14 UH women’s hoops schedule released

The Hawaii women’s basketball team’s 2013-14 schedule was released today, featuring 15 home dates and four Pac-12 opponents.

Laura Beeman’s team opens the regular season on the road for the seventh time in program history, at Arizona State on Nov. 9. Prior to that, the Rainbow Wahine host Hawaii Hilo in a Oct. 30 exhibition at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH’s home opener is Nov. 15 against Washington State in the Bank of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Seven opponents qualifed for postseason play last year.

“The team is very excited about the 2013-14 season,” Beeman said in a UH statement. “The schedule is challenging, highly competitive and full of opportunity for growth and success. We have a balance of on- and off-island games that will help prepare us for the Big West Conference and our ultimate goal — postseason play. We are also excited about the great opportunities fans will have to see the team in action against top teams from across the country.”

Beeman takes her team to play at her former school, USC, on Dec. 21. She assisted with the Trojans for two seasons before taking the UH job.

UH plays four of its first five Big West games at home, starting with defending tournament champion Cal Poly on Jan. 8. But the Wahine face four straight on the road in their next stretch, and end the regular season at Cal State Fullerton on March 8 prior to the Big West tournament March 13-16 in Anaheim, Calif.

The Wahine went 17-14 in Beeman’s first season last year and qualified for the WNIT tournament for the first time in a decade.