Following the University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine basketball team’s first public appearance, coach Laura Beeman looked into a camera to make a direct appeal to viewers.
"This is who we are, come out and watch us," Beeman said after the team’s Green-and-White scrimmage on Oct. 23.
So far, fans appear to be buying in with the Rainbow Wahine surpassing the program record for season-ticket sales, a product of three consecutive postseason appearances and last season’s run to the Big West regular-season title.
The Wahine open the new season with a two-game swing through Arizona, starting with a meeting with Grand Canyon on Friday in Phoenix, aiming to build on a 23-9 season and reward the faith of those who have invested in the program.
"I think it’s more excitement, ‘let’s get out and play, let’s show people that we’re a good team,’" Beeman said of the Wahine’s motivation before Monday’s practice at the Sheriff Center.
"Right now they want to go out and they want to play. They want to show people why buying those season tickets was such a great decision."
Beeman purchased a home in East Oahu in the offseason and she appears to have quite a bit to sell going into her fourth season at UH.
The Wahine return nine letterwinners, led by seniors Ashleigh Karaitiana and Destiny King, and Beeman will have some options in crafting a rotation stocked with size and depth.
"There’s a lot of versatility that we have this year and it’s just going to be getting used to each other," she said.
Injuries could keep the Wahine to a 10-deep rotation for the opening weekend rather than the 13 available when they’re at full strength.
King’s ability to play anywhere from point guard to power forward adds to Beeman’s options as will UH’s size and depth in the post with the return of 6-4 senior Connie Morris and 6-3 sophomore Megan Huff and the addition of 6-1 senior Kalei Adolpho, who sat out last year while focusing on volleyball.
The Wahine got a bonus in September when Karaitiana, a second-team All-Big West pick last season, was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA in September.
"I thought I was done and I was going to graduate in December and go back home and play professional basketball back home," Karaitiana said of her plans following UH’s overtime loss to Saint Mary’s in the WNIT last March.
"But when Coach came to me and asked if I wanted to try to appeal again, I was all for it and the fact that I get the opportunity to go through that process again is really exciting and there’s going to be no regrets this time."
After falling one win short of an NCAA tournament berth with a loss to Cal State Northridge in the Big West tournament title game, the Wahine enter the season looking to take the next step while keeping their focus on the tasks directly ahead.
UH will begin the season on the road for the fourth straight year and this weekend’s games at Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona open a nonconference schedule that includes home meetings with No. 2 South Carolina, No. 13 Texas A&M and No. 15 Arizona State.
"This is a team that wants to play against the best of the best and we’re going to get our chance," Beeman said.
Returning: Briana Harris (junior, 5-7, 5.2 ppg, 1.6 apg), Destiny King (senior, 5-9, 9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 36 steals)
Newcomers: Olivia Crawford (freshman, 5-5), Leah Salanoa (freshman, 5-10).
Outlook: UH coach Laura Beeman said Harris "has had a huge maturation process in the offseason," and gives the Wahine a 3-point threat from the point guard spot. King, who can play on the wing or in the post, has the versatility to bring the ball up court and start the offense when needed. Crawford has the quickness to get the basket and defend full-court while Salanoa’s height and court vision make her an intriguing prospect at the point.
Returning: King, Ashleigh Karaitiana (senior, 6-0, 10 ppg, 5 rpg, 35 steals), Marissa Wimbley (senior, 5-5, 3 ppg, 1.7 rpg), Sarah Toeaina (sophomore, 5-11, 4 ppg, 2.2 rpg).
Outlook: Karaitiana and King are the only players Beeman would guarantee will be in the starting five on Friday. King is the team’s top returning rebounder and Karaitiana led the Wahine with 45 3-pointers made last season. Wimbley’s availability on Friday will be a game time decision due to a knee injury. Toeaina is healthy after having a promising freshman season hampered by injuries.
Returning: Kalei Adolpho (senior 6-1, sat out last season), Megan Huff (sophomore, 6-3, 6.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 25 blocks), Connie Morris (senior, 6-4, 5.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 23 blocks) , Brianna Kennedy (junior, 6-3, redshirted), Dalayna Sampton (sophomore, 6-0, 3.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg).
Newcomer: Lahni Salanoa (freshman, 5-11).
Outlook: With 23 starts last season, Morris is the most seasoned of a post group "that runs the floor incredibly well," Beeman said. "They can defend man, they can defend zone, they can pull their range out anywhere from 17 feet to a 3 (pointer)." Huff, a former member of the Wahine volleyball team, earned the Big West’s Sixth Player of the Year award and a spot on the all-freshman team. Adolpho is also focused on basketball after finishing up her volleyball career last year. Kennedy joins the rotation after sitting out last year as a transfer. Sampton and Salanoa will start the season on the sideline due to injuries.
