After Thursday's NCAA semifinal loss to Florida, "Big D" conjures up thoughts of Defeat, Depression, Disappointment.

"I felt, obviously, disappointed," University Hawai'i coach Dave Shoji said. "More so for the players. They put a lot of work, a lot of effort into their careers. They performed very well. To fall a little short was very disappointing. They deserved it based on their work ethic and just the people they are. Especially the role players. They were not terribly talented. (Lauren) Duggins and (Nohea) Tano ... they just worked very hard to make themselves into good players.

"It hurts a lot. To be that close and not come up with the win is tough. We're going to think about this a long time. I've been playing a lot of things in my head that might have turned the match in our favor. It's a very tough loss. Everybody understands how much we wanted it for the university, for the state, for ourselves. It's difficult to swallow."

Shoji inspired other "Big D" options.

Desire. Drive. Diversity. Dedication. Devotion. Devastating style and captivating team Dynamics.

Seniors Kim Willoughby, Melissa Villaroman, Nohea Tano, Karin Lundqvist, Lily Kahumoku, Maja Gustin and Lauren Duggins made the past four years go by in a blur of 130 victories and compelling volleyball. They held each other — and everyone around them — accountable to do everything possible to win another title, and they rocked up to the final 35-match victory roll that ended in "Big D."

"We had a great year," Shoji said. "We had fun doing it. We just came up a little short."

In their finest hours, these Rainbow Wahine (36-2) would fearlessly fly through the air to frustrate opponents who, at times, could not put a ball on the floor against them. On offense, they were capable of bodily harm, launching themselves over blocks to blast balls off opposing players.

"When Kim and Lily go up and just overpower a block, (assistant coach) Charlie (Wade) and I usually look at each other and go, 'Nice coaching,' " Shoji said. "We haven't had to coach them to be physical. They're so physical on their own they can just do those kind of things. We're not going to ever have that again. Sometimes it wasn't even fair. Now we'll have to work at kills, start creating them next year."

That world-class talent will be missed, along with much more, including:

• Gustin's sweet soul. "I don't think we've ever had anyone as serene as Maja," Shoji said. "I can't think of anybody even close."

• Willoughby and Kahumoku's stream-of-consciousness interviews and infinite ways of standing out in a crowd. At Friday's All-American banquet in Dallas, both took off their shoes at the head table. Kahumoku got the 22 other players to give her their coach's cell number and dialed each one from the stage. Now that volleyball is over, Kahumoku said she will have time to get back to Gov. Linda Lingle and talk about a political future.

• The selfless interaction between freshman setter Kanoe Kamana'o and the six senior starters around her. In Willoughby's national Player of the Year speech, she made a special point of thanking Kamana'o, who will be the starting point for next year's renovation.

"I've been prepared for losing this group since last year," Shoji said. "It had to happen so we're prepared. I think we had a good run, but ... we'll survive. As a staff, we all feel like we're going to get back to the final four, but when, I'm not sure. A lot of people lost a lot of good players. I don't know how strong next year is going to be. We're certainly going into next year believing we'll be a competitive team. How competitive ... I don't know."

It could be awhile before Hawai'i can be this competitive — three final fours in four years — again. Shoji said he has a good idea who will be on the court with Kamana'o, the 2003 national Freshman of the Year. His list starts with hitters Alicia Arnott and Susie Boogaard and middle Melody Eckmier, the only junior on this year's roster.

It could easily include one or more of the freshmen coming in so far — Colorado Player of the Year Tara Hittle (6-foot hitter), Iowa's Jessica Keefe (6-2 hitter), who hit .460 this season, and Nickie Thomas (6-3 middle) from Texas, who committed verbally nearly a year ago.

Shoji promises a new style, with a quicker offense. "We'll have to take a look at every phase of the game and come up with something that fits our players," he says. "We can't afford to set the ball high and outside anymore."

It will be an adventure after four years of a familiarity. For the players, it grew into family. That was already evident two years ago when Kahumoku returned after a season-long break and fit right back in with her team. "She belongs to us, of course," Gustin said, surprised anyone would think the adjustment could be awkward.

"At the end, they were just solid people, so solid as a group and individuals," Shoji said. "I gained a lot of respect for all of them. Every player has had ups and downs, but in the end everyone was there for each other.

"That was really nice to see."

It will be hard to give up. The seniors say they won't.

"I don't want to say goodbye because goodbye is the worst thing," Willoughby said. "That means I'll never see them again."

QUICK SETS: Florida coach Mary Wise needed just two sentences to explain how she feels about being the first woman to coach in an NCAA Division I volleyball final: "We've said all along it's all about opportunities. If there were more women coaching at those programs that are the most well-funded, most well-supported, that wouldn't even be a question to ask."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.

Kim Willoughby

Left-side hitter — Napoleonville, La.

"Although we didn't win the national title, I think we played great all season and really had fun doing it. This was the most talented team that I have ever played on. We had our ups and downs, and even though we lost on Thursday, it was always exciting, and we left it all on the floor."

Lily Kahumoku

Left-side hitter — Honolulu