The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team is off to a shaky start matching its slowest beginning in 14 years and the Rainbow Wahine have precipitously dropped in the polls.

But if there is joy around the Western Athletic Conference at the struggles of the 3-3 Rainbow Wahine and some solace taken, it is well-masked.

A week before the start of the WAC season, as UH opens its final tune-up tournament tonight and as teams begin to size up the conference race, we are able to report no evidence of high fivin' at the Rainbow Wahine's foibles. No sign either of rejoicing — outwardly, at least — at UH's apparent vulnerability.

Local fans might have begun to wonder if this is the year the Rainbow Wahine's 11-year streak of domination could end. But if the rest of the WAC senses an opening, it isn't saying and, more telling, it is definitely not crowing about it, either. Not yet, anyway.

"It is still early in the year," notes Mike Jordan, coach of New Mexico State, the projected leading threat to the Rainbow Wahine. The Aggies ended UH's NCAA-record 114-match conference win streak last year but were unable to wrest the title away from the Rainbow Wahine. "We have our own issues (to worry about)," Jordan said of his 5-1 Aggies.

If would-be WAC contenders detect a passivity in the Rainbow Wahine in tough situations or an absence of the familiar killer instinct, then mum is the word.

Jordan said he roots for the Rainbow Wahine to do well because of what it means for the WAC to have its flagship program perform at a high level. Of course, just as you don't rile Tiger Woods in golf, it is still deemed wise policy in the WAC to speak well of the Rainbow Wahine and not to needlessly antagonize them. Better, presumably, to leave slumbering Rainbow Wahine alone than be responsible for what might happen when they put it all together.

Witness what happened last year after the loss at New Mexico State. Recall the galvanizing process and the 16-match win streak the Rainbow Wahine ran off before being eliminated in the NCAA Regionals.

Yet, you know the rest of the WAC is watching closely as UH attempts to plug some of the considerable vacuum at setter left by Kanoe Kamana'o's departure. It is taking note of the Rainbow Wahine's continued breakdowns in passing and blocking. And it is beginning to search for hope and encouragement in the Rainbow Wahine's confounding struggles.

Even if nobody will quite admit it yet.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.