The joke entering the season was that when Katie Spieler stood next to her new partner — her third in three years — a tall question mark would complement the 5-foot-5 junior. The AVCA All-American felt the answer was right in front of her in roommate Olivia Urban.

“We wanted to play together last year but it didn’t happen,” Spieler said. “It’s been really fun to play with my best friend.”

Urban and Spieler (5-1) opened their partnership by helping the Rainbow Wahine knock off then-No. 1 Pepperdine last Friday and placing second in Saturday’s gold bracket in the Rainbow Wahine Invitational.

Urban-Spieler and No. 1 Hawaii (2-0) leave Friday to compete at the USAV Beach Challenge in Chula Vista, Calif. The SandBows face Grand Canyon and TCU on Saturday then move into the pairs tournament that runs through Sunday.

>> Class: Junior

>> Major: Business

>> Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.

>> High School: Dos Pueblos HS

>> Quick Fact: Niece of former Rainbow Wahine Lisa Strand-Ma’a, member of the 1982-83 NCAA title teams.