Even before she committed to playing in Hawaii, the emotion of senior night at the Stan Sheriff Center resonated with Ashleigh Karaitiana.

Karaitiana’s recruiting visit with her father in 2011 included attending the Rainbow Wahine basketball team’s home finale and the annual postgame sendoff influenced her decision to eventually join the program.

“They won in overtime and just the atmosphere and then the whole senior ceremony, I cried and I didn’t even know anyone,” Karaitiana said.

Five years later, she will have a rare distinction as a two-time senior night honoree on Saturday after the Rainbow Wahine close the regular season against Cal Poly.

Classified as a senior last year, Karaitiana was part of a rousing postgame ceremony that included her father and brother leading a haka after what was then thought to be her final home game. The NCAA granted her appeal for another season of eligibility last September giving her a second shot at a final season.

“It’s a second chance at getting better, it’s a second chance at winning more games, it’s a second chance at getting to the NCAA tournament,” she said.

“The fire this team has right now, it’s really good, really positive energy, real good chemistry on the court. So we’re headed in the right direction, but we have to take care of business this week before we even think about the tournament.”

The Wahine (17-10, 10-4 Big West) open their final homestand of the season today against UC Santa Barbara (11-18, 8-7) before facing Cal Poly (14-14, 7-8) on Saturday, when UH’s six seniors will be recognized in their final appearance at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Karaitiana enters the week third on the team in scoring at 8.4 points per game and tied for the lead with 32 made 3-pointers. She’s also tied with fellow senior Destiny King with a team-high 64 assists and remains a key piece to a UH defense allowing a league-low 55.4 points in Big West play.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without Ashleigh,” UH coach Laura Beeman said. “She brings us composure, she brings us depth, she brings us that savvyness. Taking charges on defense, the hustle plays on offense, the big 3s, the fact that people have to pay attention to her and maybe it opens up somebody else. But I think she gives us confidence.”

Karaitiana arrived on campus a year before Beeman and sat out her freshman year after taking an extra season to graduate from high school due to her commitments playing on Australia’s Under-19 team.

After two attempts for reinstation were denied, a rule change led to a successful third try last fall.

A fourth season allowed Karaitiana to join the program’s 1,000-point club and rise to second in career 3-pointers, passing former UH great Nani Cockett last week.

“It’s super exciting,” Karaitiana said. “I love Nani, she looks out for me too so I really appreciate her, but to know I passed her in a record is a big achievement and accomplishment just because of what she’s done for this program and for this university.”

Karaitiana has contributed to that legacy in helping UH win the Big West regular-season title last year and earn postseason invitations each of the last three years.

Along with her on-court exploits, Karaitiana’s five-year stay in Hawaii gave her a chance to connect with family members in Hauula she hadn’t met prior to enrolling at UH. She also nurtured lasting friendships, including Shawna-Lei Kuehu, part of last year’s senior class and current housemate.

Perhaps more so than the wins and statistics, those facets will endure after the applause in Saturday’s traditional farewell ultimately fades.

“Just the love and aloha I get from friends and family here, that tops it all off,” Karaitiana said.