A semester after stumbling early in their NCAA run and earning their lowest end-of-season ranking in a decade (18th), Rainbow Wahine volleyball players leave Manoa this summer knowing that if they don't change, the fall will continue in the fall.

The quest for change is technical, as in a faster offense, and practical, as in a finally healthy Nickie Thomas.

But mostly, it is mental.

"It's an attitude adjustment," says captain Tara Hittle. "If we really want something bad enough we can do it. It's a matter of us getting on the same page and getting what we want."

Hittle heads into her final year yearning for what she found here as a freshman in 2004. The lone starter back from a final-four team was all-world setter Kanoe Kamana'o. Hawai'i, with a shockingly successful mix of karma and creativity, won its first 30 matches. It was the most fun Hittle has had on a volleyball court.

"We played so well together, worked hard, nothing was expected of us and we went out and loved what we did," she said. "There was no real selfishness.

"The seniors that year were Melody (Eckmier) and Teisa (Fotu) and they were just great people. They didn't play as much as others, but they were good leaders. They didn't talk bad about not playing, didn't cause outside problems, but when we needed them or anyone to go in they picked up the slack. That's what made that team really great. We all worked together to achieve a goal instead of worrying about ourselves."

Easy to say, difficult to do, particularly with Hawai'i's annual all-or-nothing expectations. The Rainbow Wahine have won four national championships. Last year's late letdown ended a decade-long streak of regional appearances. It was the first time since 2001 that UH did not finish ranked in the Top 10.

Coach Dave Shoji gave his players an evaluation, conditioning program and depth chart when the semester ended, telling them, as always, "you can improve yourself or play yourself out of a position." What they want from the 2008 season is completely in their hands until practice starts in August.

Shoji wants his outside hitters to be able to hit closer to .300 than .200. He wants his middles to make plays and his setters to isolate hitters. He wants his passers more precise. And ultimately he wants more speed, to deal with teams like defending NCAA champion Penn State — Hawai'i's season-opening opponent Aug. 29.

"They have hitters hitting high and hard," Shoji says. "We have to match it with speed. We have to out-quick those teams. We'll be physically stronger (than last season), but those teams have size and strength, and that's what we need to deal with."

His depth chart begins in the middle, where the Rainbow Wahine lost the most. Amber Kaufman, the new WAC high jump champ, is listed No. 1. There is no No. 2. Thomas is trying to make a massive comeback after losing the past two seasons to knee injuries. Sophomore Amanda Simmons, Arkansas transfer Catherine Fowler and incoming freshman Brittany Hewitt remain unknown quantities.

Intrigue on the outside mostly involves three-time Hawai'i high school player of the year Kanani Herring. She closed her remarkable prep career with a state high jump championship last weekend. Shoji calls the Kamehameha Schools senior "the unknown factor."

"Certainly she's physical enough to win a spot," he said. "She'll have to make an immediate impression on the coaches because she's not going to be in the practice gym until August. But we know she can play all the way around. Based on what we see out of high school and junior club volleyball she looks to be very, very solid in all phases of passing and defense. That has to be proven on our practice court."

Sophomore Dani Mafua is now "slightly ahead" of Stephanie Brandt, last year's starter at setter. Hittle might be in the mix at libero. Nothing is a given after last December's loss to Middle Tennessee ended a roller-coaster ride of a season.

Hittle's offseason "therapy" involved playing for the Rainbow Wahine basketball team. It took her four games to earn a starting position. She was fifth in scoring, second in rebounding and much more upbeat at the end of that season despite basketball's losing record.

"I pushed back graduation just so I could do it again. It was a really good experience," Hittle said. "When we won in basketball it was how winning should be. Everyone was so excited. That's not how it is in volleyball. Obviously we're happy to win, but for volleyball it's more like if you lose, then it's bad."

Change was good. Hittle and her volleyball teammates now hope for the same.

TENTATIVE 2008 HAWAI'I WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

August

29-31—Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic (29—UCLA vs. Ohio, 5 p.m., Hawai'i vs. Penn State, 7 p.m.; 30—Penn State vs. UCLA, 5 p.m., Hawai'i vs. Ohio, 7 p.m.; 31—Ohio vs. Penn State, 3 p.m., Hawai'i vs. UCLA, 5 p.m.).

September

4-7—Waikiki Beach Marriott Challenge (4—Cincinnati vs. Wyoming, 5 p.m., Hawai'i vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.; 5—Wyoming vs. Hawai'i; 6—Minnesota vs. Cincinnati, noon, Wyoming vs. Minnesota, 2 p.m.; 7—Hawai'i vs. Cincinnati, 5 p.m.).

11-13—Rainbow Wahine Invitational (11—Pacific vs. Washington, 5 p.m., Hawai'i vs. St. Mary's, 7 p.m.; 12—Washington vs. St. Mary's, 5 p.m., Hawai'i vs. Pacific, 7 p.m.; 13—St. Mary's vs. Pacific, 5 p.m., Hawai'i vs. Washington, 7 p.m.). 19—*Idaho. 20—*Boise State. 25—*at Louisiana Tech. 27—*at New Mexico State. 29—*at San Jose State.

October

10—*Louisiana Tech. 12—*New Mexico State. 16—*at Utah State. 18—*at Nevada. 24—*San Jose State. 26—*Fresno State. 31—*Nevada.

November

1—*Utah State. 6—*at Boise State. 8—*at Idaho. 10—*at Fresno State. 15—Utah Valley State. 20,21,23—WAC Tournament (at Stan Sheriff Center). 26—Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. 28—Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (8 p.m.).

December

4-6—NCAA first and second rounds. 12-13—NCAA Regionals at Colorado State, Penn State, Texas and Washington. 18,20—NCAA Championship (at Omaha, Neb.).

* WAC matches

Home matches at 7 p.m. at Stan Sheriff Center unless noted