We pretty much knew it was coming. We’d heard the rumblings.

But no one really wanted to believe Brittany Hewitt would call it a career a year early.

The University of Hawaii volleyball middle blocker began to become a fan favorite as a freshman in 2009, and for good reason. At 6-feet-3, Hewitt was a physical force at a spot that had at times been a weakness for UH when it went up against tough competition.

She was a key factor in the Wahine making it to the final four that year, and she represented hope for the future of the program.

Hewitt blossomed as a sophomore, leading the nation in blocking.

And last December, it was Hewitt who neutralized USC’s huge front line in a regional final match that should’ve been contested at the final four based on the quality of the teams.

I’ll always remember her being the biggest difference as the Wahine led 2-1 in sets, with Hewitt contributing 10 blocks compared to nine for the entire USC team.

The Women of Troy came back to win the match, despite more tremendous effort by Hewitt in the fifth set — at the service line as well as the net.

Despite the pain in her back last season, she was still a pain in the neck to her opponents.

Highly skilled, experienced 6-3 middles don’t appear out of nowhere, and Hewitt will be sorely missed by a 2012 UH team that also loses three-time first-team All-America hitter Kanani Danielson.

Falyn Fonoimoana was considered by at least one rating service the top high school senior in the country in 2009, and started in 2010 as a freshman at USC.

She sat out last year due to academics, but might play for UH this fall if things fall into place.

Fonoimoana is listed at 6-feet-4, but she’s a hitter, not a blocker like Hewitt. Pair her with sophomore Jane Croson and the Wahine would be dynamic from the outside for years to come.

Hawaii will still need another strong player in the middle to complement 6-2 junior Emily Hartong, who had an excellent 2011 season.

» The UH baseball team did what it was supposed to do with Wagner, sweeping the five games at Les Murakami Stadium.

The 19-3 outcome in the Sunday finale was predictable. The only surprise is that the small school from New York didn’t run out of pitching earlier in the series.

And even with so many runs scored Sunday, it was also no stunner that the Rainbows didn’t put a ball over the fence. Breland Almodova did homer, but it was of the inside-the-park variety.

In eight games, first baseman Max Duval has hit UH’s only bomb. It was an opposite-field mortar shot to right off the bat of the 6-foot-5, 230-pound JC transfer, helping the Rainbows to a 6-2 win in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

"I didn’t really think I got it that good," Duval said. "It just kept going up and up. I thought it might almost get to the track. Then the right fielder kept going back."

He and UH coach Mike Trapasso both said that kind of shot isn’t really what Duval strives for.

"I pretty much go for line drives and figure if I get enough of it, it will travel," Duval said. "I don’t feel pressure to hit home runs."

So far in games, Duval has mostly looked like the classic slugger who hacks away, always hoping for the longball. It resulted in an 0-for-9 start against Oregon, and one walk and 10 strikeouts.

"That’s not what we saw in the fall and in practice. In practice he’s opposite. He’s all patience and discipline," Trapasso said. "He’s just amped and trying to do too much. He has so much power, he doesn’t need to do anything extra. He had a good at-bat in the ninth inning (Sunday). It’s going to happen for him."

As for pitching, the Rainbows have gotten several effective outings from freshmen.

David Longville, who threw 42/3 scoreless relief innings against Oregon, has now run that streak up to 82/3. Trapasso said Longville might start Sunday against Wichita State if he isn’t needed in a key spot earlier in the series.

» Quite a rivalry has developed between Punahou and Kahuku this school year. The Red Raiders beat the Buffanblu in the state football championship, and Punahou returned the favor Saturday in the basketball final.

Both are usually strong contenders in track and field, so maybe that will serve as the spring tiebreaker.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.