By the time the volleyball gets to the hitters in tonight’s season opener at Stan Sheriff Center, Hawaii fans should know how good this 10th-ranked Rainbow Wahine team can be.

Hawaii lost its libero and setter from last year. Its passing, suspect at the end of last season even with all-conference libero Elizabeth Ka‘aihue, might be the coaches’ most compelling concern going into the opener against San Francisco. Junior Emily Maeda will start at libero, with freshman Jane Croson and three-time All-American Kanani Danielson joining her in the passing rotation.

“We have to pass consistently,” says volunteer assistant Kaleo Baxter, who has been working with the liberos and defensive specialists. “It’s tough for our team because we’re not the 6-(foot)-2s, the 6-4s. Our passing has to be on. That’s something we’ve been working on hard.”

Croson came here with vast national and international credentials indoors and out, but passing might be the wild card in her game. What works on the beach is not nearly precise enough for a team taking on five NCAA tournament opponents in its first six matches. Sophomore Emily Hartong started in the middle last year and will be back there tonight, but could also play outside. She did not pass at all last season.

“That other passer needs to know that Kanani has proved she can pass and hit,” Baxter warned. “They are going to get a lot of serves.”

Maeda, a Roosevelt High graduate, started last year as a defensive specialist. The focus tonight is simply to chase down balls and “just pass well.” She is also hoping she and her teammates stay calm in front of their first crowd.

“I’m curious how we play when adversity comes, how we handle that,” Maeda said. “It will be a little bit different with a lot of fans and a different team on the other side of the net. I’m looking forward to it though. I think we’re really going to come together.”

Sophomore Mita Uiato will be a focal point for that. She is slated to take over for all-region setter Dani Mafua. New UH assistant — and former Olympic setter — Robyn Ah Mow-Santos has focused on footwork with Uiato and backup Monica Stauber. Ah Mow-Santos, painfully shy in her All-America career at UH, is also trying to teach her setters the most effective way to talk to their hitters.

Footwork and communication are talents that come with time. Uiato, like her mentor before her, knows she needs work.

“When Brittany (Hewitt) and Kanani are in a little funk, it’s my job to pick the team up,” Uiato says. “That’s going to be a big thing from now on, me stepping up.”

It has been nearly nine months since Washington ended Hawaii’s 2010 season in the NCAA tournament’s second round. It was only the third time in 18 years the Wahine did not make the regionals, and it came a year after a final-four appearance. Coach Dave Shoji is ready to move on, and trusts his passing and setting will be along for a very long ride.

“I’m hoping this doesn’t look a whole lot different from last year, but I hope it looks better,” said Shoji, starting his 37th season. “Certainly the setter and libero positions will not be as good early on, but everybody else should be better. Hartong is way better, Brittany and Kanani and Chanteal (Satele) are better. Once Mita has a few games, she will be fine.”

Notes

» The U.S. men’s team, with five Hawaii players, including Dave Shoji’s sons Kawika and Erik, finished 13th at the World University Games. The team beat Norway, 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-14 in its final match Sunday in China. The team, which also featured Brad Lawson, Tri Bourne and Riley McKibbin, went 5-3.

» The U.S. women’s national team defeated Italy, 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-10, Thursday on the second day of the FIVB World Grand Prix final round. It is being played in Macau. The Americans are 2-0 in Pool B in defense of their title. Hawaii’s Lindsey Berg had 42 assists and set the U.S. to a .341 hitting percentage. Former University of Hawaii All-American Heather Bown had two kills, two blocks and an ace.