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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 27, 2005

Two 'Bows injured heading into trip

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nagging injuries to two key players has the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team's starting lineup unsettled for a pivotal Western Athletic Conference road game at Rice today.

Guard Janevia Taylor and center Alofa Toiaivao are recovering from ankle injuries, and Toiaivao's playing status will be a game-time decision today, according to Hawai'i first-year coach Jim Bolla.

The Rainbow Wahine need all the healthy players they can get against Rice (11-7, 4-3), a team that holds a 6-0 record against Hawai'i in Houston. The game starts at 3 p.m. Hawai'i time. Hawai'i plays at Tulsa (13-4, 5-2) at 10 a.m. (HST) on Saturday.

"Nevi is probably 80 percent right now," Bolla said. "She's going to be available to play. We won't make a decision on Alofa until (pre-game) shootaround."

Hawai'i (8-6, 4-3) has an opportunity to take command of second-place in the 10-team WAC if they win both road games this week. Hawai'i was picked to finish eighth in the preseason coaches poll.

"These two games right now are the biggest two games of the year," said Bolla, whose team is on a two-game winning streak having defeated visiting UTEP, 74-63, on Thursday, and visiting Boise State, 67-55, on Saturday.

Toiaivao injured her ankle in Saturday's game, and was on crutches after the game. Taylor injured her ankle during a pre-game practice Jan. 20, and has missed the past two games.

Bolla said he wasn't concerned about Hawai'i's 0-6 record in Houston, adding: "We're due. The probability is on our side to win."

Rice is coming off a pair of road wins over Fresno State (63-59) and Nevada (83-74). The Owls are 6-0 at home this season.

Rice is led by frontcourt players Michelle Woods (11.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game) and Lauren Neaves (11.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg).

Bolla said the Owls employ a ball-hawking defense. On offense, the Owls funnel the ball to Woods and Neaves.

"They like to press, which is fine with us," Bolla said. "We like teams who press us because we score on them. They'll push the ball offensively and pound the ball inside to their big people who are very athletic."

Hawai'i will counter with forwards Jade Abele (11.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Amy Sanders (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg), center Brittany Grice (5.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg), guard Milia Macfarlane (8.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg), and possibly, post player Toiaivao (10.5 ppg, 74. rpg) and guard Taylor (12.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg).

Notes: Reserve swing player Dalia Solia has been suspended for the rest of the season for violating unspecified team policies, Bolla said. Solia was suspended before Hawai'i's first road trip earlier this month, and is prohibited from practicing with the team.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.

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