Third-ranked Hawai'i had another fast start and furious finish last night as it cruised to its 17th straight volleyball victory, defeating San Jose State, 25-12, 25-15, 25-15. The 71-minute Western Athletic Conference match was watched by 822 at Spartan Gym, most rooting for the Rainbow Wahine (21-2, 11-0 WAC).

They return from their three-match road trip today and play their final home matches Friday and Sunday. The 'Bows have won their last 23 against WAC opponents, since being swept by New Mexico State more than a year ago. This year, they have dominated nearly every conference opponent — losing just three sets in their winning streak.

Some nights, UH coach Dave Shoji said, it is tough to tell if his team is improving.

"It's nothing to worry about because we just can't control it," Shoji said. "We have to carry out every assignment as if it were December because we know if we don't, in December it could hurt us."

The Spartans fell to 1-21 and 1-10. They are 4-62 in the series against UH and didn't come close to improving that last night. Hawai'i eluded their block the entire match and made just seven hitting errors.

Sophomore Kanani Danielson led Hawai'i with 15 kills in 27 swings. Danielson's only error came deep in the final set as she hit .519. Senior Amber Kaufman, who grew up in San Jose, did not have a hitting error, going 11 for 13 and hitting .846.

"We were in system most of the night," Shoji said. "And when we weren't, we still converted the plays."

UH out-hit SJSU .458 to .074 and had eight blocks, with four from reserve Corinne Cascioppo in the final set. The 'Bows also had seven aces — three from Aneli Cubi-Otineru — and got 12 digs from libero Liz Ka'aihue.

San Jose State got 10 kills from sophomore Kylie Miraldi, who hit .444. The rest of the Spartans combined to hit negative.

The Rainbows held a 15-8 advantage at the first timeout of the night, with three aces. They scored 18 of the last 25 points in Set 2, fell into a 7-5 hole in the third, then ran off an 11-4 streak to pull away yet again.

DANIELSON HONORED AGAIN

University of Hawai'i sophomore Kanani Danielson is the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week again. This is the outside hitter's fourth WAC Player of the Week honor this season and fifth of her career.

Only Angelica Ljungquist, the 1996 national player of the year her senior year at UH, has earned more honors in one season (five). Olympians Heather Bown (1999) and Kim Willoughby (2001) were also honored four times in one season. Jamie Houston, who played with Danielson last year, holds the Rainbow Wahine career record with nine Player of the Week honors.

Danielson had 37 kills, 12 digs and five blocks as Hawai'i defeated Fresno State and Nevada on the road last week. She tied her career high with 22 kills at Fresno. Danielson, a third-team All-American as a freshman, averaged 5.29 kills a set and hit .368 for the week.

At 3.99 per set, Danielson ranks 47th in kills in this week's national statistics. UH seniors Amber Kaufman (.468) and Aneli Cubi-Otineru (0.58) rank third and fifth in hitting percentage and aces.

The Rainbow Wahine remained at No. 3 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Unbeaten Penn State (24-0) and Texas (18-0) are still 1-2.

The Rainbow Wahine return to the Stan Sheriff Center this weekend. UH will face Fresno State on Friday at 7 p.m. Senior Night will be against Utah State on Sunday at 5 p.m.