The University of Hawai'i softball team's best player, All-America first baseman Tyleen Tausaga, will undergo major surgery after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn meniscus in her left knee.

Tausaga said the surgery will take place next month. She said she was told the usual rehabilitation period is between six and nine months. Tausaga will miss at least the Rainbow Wahine's fall training and, possibly, the entire 2007 season.

"The doctor says 'six to nine months' (of rehabilitation) to all of the patients," Tausaga said. "Everybody is different. A lot (of patients) can come back early. I hope I can play (earlier), but I don't want to rush this. If I can come back and play the way I did before the injury, I'll play (in 2007). If I can't, I don't want to hurt the team, (and) I'll probably redshirt. I don't want to waste a year."

Tausaga said she suffered the injury when she landed awkwardly during a routine jumping drill on Monday.

Tausaga, a 2003 Kaimuki High School graduate, and second baseman Alana Power will be the Rainbows' only seniors next season.

"We'll only have one senior on the field," UH coach Bob Coolen said. "The five sophomores-to-be-juniors will have to step up."

Last season, Tausaga was named to the Easton-Bell Sports All-America third team and All-Western Athletic Conference first team.

She was a contact hitter with power. She batted .372, second-highest average among WAC starters in 2006, while hammering a league-high 10 homers. Twenty-two of her 59 hits were for extra bases.

She struck out once every 11.3 at-bats; in contrast, her teammates struck out once every 5.5 at-bats. She had as many walks (14) as strikeouts.

Coolen said Amanda Taualii, a 2006 graduate of Torrance (Calif.) High School, is projected to play first base during fall training.

Taualii was named Most Outstanding Player in two leagues. Torrance switched conference at the start of her senior year.

After signing with UH, Taualii expressed an interest in redshirting as a freshman to gain experience. "My exact words were, 'Let's wait and see how things unfold,'" Coolen said. "Sure enough . . ."

Coolen said Tausaga's situation will affect his recruiting strategy.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.