One.

That is all that stands in the way of perfection in league play.

One win, which would give No. 8 Hawaii its 16th unbeaten conference season, fourth in Big West play and first since the Rainbow Wahine rejoined the BWC in 2012.

A victory today at UC Santa Barbara would also mean UH (25-1, 15-0) would end the regular season on a 21-match winning streak, their longest since the 26 straight in 2011. Winning in the Thunderdome, where Hawaii has struggled to pull out five-set victories in its last two visits, would make a statement that the Wahine hope is read on Nov. 29 when the NCAA selection committee determines the top 16 seeds and hosts for the 16 subregionals.

Lose today to the Gauchos (7-18, 3-11) — 215th in the computer-generated Ratings Percentage Index — and the Wahine can start packing their current 27 RPI along with their bags for the postseason tournament.

Win today and "the committee is supposed to be able to use the (AVCA Top 25) coaches poll," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "My hope that the committee says, ‘Hey, this is a deserving team regardless of the RPI.’

"We’re going to fill the place (Stan Sheriff Center), which might be some consideration, but I’m not too optimistic."

But first things first, which is to pick up a sixth consecutive road win against the Gauchos, who are playing for pride and the five seniors who will be honored in their final home match today. UCSB was swept a week ago at UC Riverside and has lost six of its last seven, the lone victory coming at winless Cal State Fullerton.

"We’re looking forward to playing Hawaii," Gauchos coach Nicole Lantagne Welch said. "Of course, we realize that they are having a great season, but we welcome the challenge and opportunity that it brings."

Lantagne Welch said that the Wahine have improved since the Big West opener for both teams on Sept. 25 in Honolulu. Hawaii swept the Gauchos 25-13, 25-14, 25-19 in what would be one of the Wahine’s 15 straight-set victories this season.

"Hawaii has improved on its middle attack and just the diversity of their offense this season, " Lantagne Welch said. "They are also a very good serving and blocking team (No. 1 nationally in blocks). They have a huge size advantage over us, so we need to be fearless and creative."

The Wahine have been on the road since a week ago Friday and admittedly are ready to come back to Hawaii.

"We’re all kind of tired, it’s hard traveling for this long," said junior hitter Nikki Taylor, who had a match-high 15 kills in Thursday’s sweep at Cal Poly. "But it’s not significantly manifesting in our play. I think we’ve been doing a good job on the trip, siding out quickly when we’ve been down.

"We do want to go home, but we also want to do it by winning out."

The goal is to stay focused mentally and physically. To help with the latter, strength coach Tony Cox made his first trip with the team.

"He’s been valuable, keeping us in our workout routine since it was going to be a long trip," Shoji said. "We’re all a little tired, but we have a job to do.

"Going undefeated? It’s a statement. Going 16-and-0 is a nice round figure."