It wasn’t panic that greeted the Hawaii volleyball players when they walked into Gym I yesterday. Reality said hello, and the Rainbow Wahine acknowledged it with a nod and a practice that was both cathartic and focused.

Nothing can be done about Wednesday’s stunning loss to Utah State in the Western Athletic Conference tournament final except to put it behind them. Also out of their control is where the 28-2 Wahine will be seeded by the NCAA volleyball committee today.

What can be controlled — as evidenced by yesterday’s practice — is how Hawaii approaches the only season that really matters … the postseason.

"One loss doesn’t say we’re a bad team," senior libero Elizabeth Ka’aihue said. "We had one bad game. Now we put it behind us.

"I’ve been looking forward to being back in practice, working hard, working out some kinks. We’ve played pretty much perfect this year and, even though you never want to lose, better that it happened in the WAC tournament than in the first or second round."

"It puts things back in perspective," senior setter Dani Mafua added. "We have a lot to work on.

"We need to be serving tougher, making little adjustments as the game goes on, something we could have done Wednesday. It’s going to help us in the long run."

Just how long can that run be? One match or six? One week or three? The goal is it at least matches last season’s national semifinal appearance.

The Wahine will learn after this morning’s practice where and when the postseason begins. UH coach Dave Shoji isn’t expecting it will be at the Stan Sheriff Center.

"But if they give it to us, we’d be happy," said Shoji, whose team hasn’t been at home for the first round since 2003. "Our bid is good enough that it should cover expenses, but you never know."

Because of football Saturday, Hawaii can only host this Thursday and Friday. The first and second rounds have to be played on consecutive days, which leaves out a Friday-Sunday schedule.

"I don’t know if having to play here Thursday is a factor," Shoji said, "but I’ve never been told it wasn’t a factor."

He said he was pleased with yesterday’s practice and "we came back with good energy," Shoji said. "I had no doubt we’d bounce back."

The NCAA committee uses the Ratings Percentage Index to seed the top 16 teams. Theoretically, the top seeds are supposed to host the first and second rounds, but Hawaii has been sent on the road as a seeded team the past two years.

The Wahine came into the week at No. 11 in the RPI.