Hopeful return for Wahine Taylor

Hawaii senior opposite Nikki Taylor sat out Tuesday’s practice, “resting” her injured left elbow that was aggravated during Sunday’s match to Washington.

Taylor missed the first three matches of the season after landing awkwardly during the latter part of the Green-White scrimmage on Aug. 20. Rainbow Wahine coach Dave Shoji said he expected Taylor to participate on a limited basis today and return fully Thursday as Hawaii (5-4) prepares for Friday-Saturday matches with Pepperdine (6-4).

“It’s not going to get much better,” Shoji said. “She has to block so whenever she gets hit on her left hand, she feels it.”

Taylor had a career high in kills (29) and attempts (70) in Sunday’s five-set loss to the Huskies.

The Wahine also are closer to having senior middle Annie Mitchem cleared to play for the first time this season. Mitchem fractured her left pinkie during the season’s first practice on Aug. 9 and had a pin inserted during last month’s surgery. That pin was expected to be removed this morning with a determination to be made as to whether she’ll be cleared for this week’s series with the Waves.