As seventh-ranked Hawai'i opens its final regular-season volleyball road trip tonight at Boise State, it is heading up a mysterious roller-coaster ride of a year where the Rainbow Wahine's most dangerous opponents will remain a mystery until the NCAA Tournament field is announced Nov. 30.

The 'Bows (19-3, 12-1 WAC) are attempting to prepare for the NCAA postseason in a Western Athletic Conference where only New Mexico State has posed a serious challenge, again. They have risen and plummeted mostly at the whim of their wandering focus, but in the last three matches their attack has been astonishing aside from one lost set against lowly Fresno State.

There are a few reasons for the offensive fireworks, but they begin and end with near-perfect passing and the consistent excellence of senior Jamie Houston. Those will be two of the most crucial factors in Hawai'i's postseason success.

It is only three matches, but the Rainbows have ripped kills at an astounding .441 clip since Oct. 26. Houston, whose career has careened from awesome highs to head-slapping lows, hit .551 during the surge.

To put that in perspective, Houston hit .286 with eight hitting errors against San Jose State two weeks ago; she has only six errors in the three matches since and her hitting percentage is up 35 points to .256 — a respectable number much more indicative of the All-American's talent.

The Rainbow Wahine's search for a leader is apparently now focused on their four seniors, who are closing their careers with an urgency that will really get serious when they host the WAC Tournament in two weeks.

Kanani Danielson, Hawai'i's only starting freshman, tries to follow in the defensive footsteps of senior libero Tara Hittle — "You know if she's in there it's going to be lively" — and Houston's huge offensive footprint. She never doubts that middle blocker Nickie Thomas will channel a hitter precisely where she says. And, Danielson aches for Jessica Keefe, who has embraced the small role she plays.

"That's the best leadership I've seen," Danielson said. "When she comes in, she's always talking in a positive way — 'I've got this and that.' Basically, 'I'm only in for a little bit and I'm going to work my hardest.'

"It's nice to see the seniors sucking it up and showing the freshman what's going on."

Three numbers make Danielson the favorite to become Hawai'i's sixth WAC Freshman of the Year, despite an ankle injury that has hampered her since Sept. 22. The numbers are 2, 9 and 7 — as in averages of 2.97 kills per set, 2.97 digs and a .297 hitting percentage.

She and junior Aneli Cubi-Otineru have been the perfect complement to Houston on the outside, and to Hittle as the primary passers and defenders. Utah State coach Grayson DuBose focused on the 'Bows' improved ball control after his team was bashed last Saturday. Even UH coach Dave Shoji, notoriously critical of his team's ballhandling, has been impressed the last three matches.

"Our passing has been almost perfect. It's allowed us to run anything, all the options. We've had a lot of hitters 1-on-1," Shoji said. "The other thing is that Houston has just gone off. No matter what kind of set or if two blockers are up, she is just bombing over or in front of the defense. She has really elevated her game and appears to be under control."

Shoji also believes Hittle has upgraded her game after a short slump. He often finds leadership in late-season surges like these, if players can stay at a high level through December.

"We really need Hittle to ... not only play well, but that allows her to be a leader out there," Shoji said. "She has basically taken charge in the backrow. Houston ... just by playing well you're able to do some things to lead a team. I don't care what they say. You can be a rah-rah type, but if you're not playing well your leadership ability is not the same."

NOTES

San Jose State sophomore Brianna Amian, a Moanalua High School graduate, is the WAC Player of the Week after twice collecting double-doubles. For the week, she hit .290 and averaged 3.86 kills, 5.29 digs, 0.86 aces, 0.71 blocks and 5.14 points.

Hawai'i passed 2 million in volleyball attendance at Stan Sheriff Center last month. The Rainbow Wahine have led the country in attendance since moving into the arena — and out of 1,800-capacity Klum Gym — in 1994. UH has drawn 2,031,650 to SSC.

This final trip also takes UH to third-place Idaho Saturday and Fresno State Monday. All three matches will be broadcast live on ESPN 1420 AM, beginning at 4 p.m. HST tonight and 5 p.m. HST Saturday and Monday.

The Rainbow Wahine's offensive outburst last weekend moved them up to second nationally in assists (14.04), fourth in kills (15.00) and fifth in hitting (.299). Top-ranked Penn State leads the country in hitting at .395 — 53 points better than runner-up Texas and 11 points off Hofstra's national record, set in 1983. The best percentage since rally-scoring started in 2001 is .369, set by Florida A&M in 2004.

Sophomore setter Dani Mafua is 10th nationally in assists (11.51). St. Mary's sophomore Kapua Kamana'o, an 'Iolani graduate and sister of former UH All-American Kanoe Kamana'o, is seventh (11.64). Hawai'i junior Amber Kaufman is 14th in aces (0.51).

Boise State (7-16, 3-9) has won one more match than all last year. The Broncos beat Utah Valley in a non-conference match last week. The Wolverines play here next Saturday.