Plant an elbow in Tara Hittle's back as she goes up for a rebound and she smiles.

Slap a shot back in her face and she smiles.

Chop her at the elbow on a layup, send her sprawling to the court for the fourth, fifth, sixth time, contribute to her improv body art museum of bruises and, darn it, she smiles.

"It must be the mouthpiece," Hittle says, laughing of course. "I can't close my mouth."

And there has been much to smile about for the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team since Hittle joined the squad during the winter break.

The Rainbow Wahine (9-14 overall, 3-7 in the Western Athletic Conference) face conference leader Fresno State (15-9, 10-1) tonight at 7 at Stan Sheriff Center.

On a team sorely in need of size in the post, the 6-foot Hittle has provided a formidable rebounding and defensive presence to help alleviate the burdens shouldered by all-conference center Tanya Smith and reserve Iwona Zagrobelna.

Recently, she's also helped fill the void left by forward Dita Liepkalne, one of the team's most consistent scorers and rebounders, who has been hobbled with patellar tendinitis.

While best known for her exploits on the volleyball court (she's a two-time all-Western Athletic Conference honoree and captain of the UH squad), she arrived at UH with impressive prep credentials in hoops, as well.

At Doherty High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., Hittle twice earned all-area honors as she helped lead her team to four league titles and two appearances in the Division 6A title game.

Hittle played sparingly for the first few games while she learned the nuances of head coach Jim Bolla's motion offense and amoeba defense. Her breakthrough came during the team's early-January road trip, and her minutes and her productivity have steadily risen as she's settled into the starting rotation.

"I had to get used to the contact again," Hittle said. "In volleyball, you control what you do, but in basketball, there's always a lot of grabbing and pushing, which makes it a little bit harder."

Hittle said her transition has been eased by her teammates, who've helped her find her niche on and off the court.

"They've been really supportive," she said. "It's funny to think that I have 30 teammates now."

In eight games, Hittle is averaging 4.8 points and 5.5 rebounds, nearly half off the offensive glass.

"Having only had two weeks to learn, she's picked things up really quickly," Bolla said. "She's a really quick leaper and she boxes out every time. I like that she doesn't put her head down if her shot gets blocked. I think that comes from volleyball."