Former Hawaii libero Reyn “Tita” Akiu is one of 17 players invited by the U.S. Women’s National Team to participate in a spring training block from Saturday to March 23 at the American Sports Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Akiu is one of two liberos, the other being Justine Wong-Orantes (Nebraska). Akiu participated in an open tryout earlier this month in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Players will be under consideration for additional training this summer with the full U.S. Women’s National Team.

UH falls to Utah in extra innings

Utah’s Ally Dickman launched a tie-breaking home run in the top of the eighth inning and the Utes (11-13) held on for a 3-2 win over the Hawaii softball team on Tuesday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

The Rainbow Wahine (16-7) scratched out a run in the bottom of the eighth but the rally fell short.