Aneli Cubi-Otineru, a 5-foot-9ý outside hitter from Punahou School who is The Advertiser's State Player of the Year (see story, page D6), has made a verbal commitment to play for Hawai'i after she graduates in 2005. She said UH coach Dave Shoji has promised to reserve a scholarship for her; the first day she can sign a letter of intent is Nov. 10, 2004.

Cubi-Otineru, who has a 30-inch vertical leap and helped lead the Buffanblu to the state championship last month, said she received recruiting materials from Florida, UCLA, Pepperdine, Washington, Oklahoma and Washington (Mo.) University, among others.

"But my mind was so set on UH already," said Cubi-Otineru, who added she is a lifelong Rainbow Wahine fan. "It was always my dream to play in front of my family, because they've always been there for me. I think it would be different for me if I played on the Mainland."

Cubi-Otineru has made The Advertiser's All-State first team in each of the past three years. She drew national attention in 2002 when she was named Student Sports Inc./PowerBar Athlete of the Week for the West Region after notching 37 kills and 20 digs in the Buffanblu's three-game loss to Iolani.