Next week's volleyball exhibition with Nebraska took a hit Wednesday when Stephanie Ferrell, widely expected to take over All-American Jamie Houston's position as the Rainbow Wahine terminator, broke her left ankle while landing during spring practice. Ferrell had surgery yesterday and should be healthy by August's first practice.

The loss of Ferrell, a redshirt freshman this school year, leaves Hawai'i with just one healthy outside hitter for spring conditioning and Thursday's scrimmage — freshman Kanani Herring, a third-team All-American.

Aneli Cubi-Otineru, who started on the right side last year, recently had knee surgery. Houston, Tara Hittle and Jessica Keefe have used up their eligibility. Keefe has graduated and moved back to Colorado, but UH coach Dave Shoji hopes Houston and/or Hittle can pitch in against Nebraska.

"We have other players that can use the work," Shoji said. "We've got to find a starting middle and a starting libero. Everybody has got to get better. That's the No. 1 priority. We'll come together. It's not imperative we have all the pieces together now."

The 'Bows have open spots on their roster for the fall, but no confirmed recruits or transfers aside from middle blocker Kristiana Tuaniga, an incoming freshman who won't be here until August.

Hawai'i plays Nebraska at 7 p.m. Thursday in a repeat of their 2005 spring scrimmage. This is the eighth season the Rainbow Wahine have hosted a spring exhibition. General admission tickets are on sale at the Stan Sheriff Box Office, online (HawaiiAthletics.com) or by phone at 944-2697.

The Cornhuskers reached the final four last season, and became the only team to take a set off national champion Penn State. They finished 31-3 and ranked third. Hawai'i reached the regional final and finished 31-4 and ranked seventh.

The Huskers will have four starters back in the fall, including second-team All-Americans Sydney Anderson and Tara Mueller. First-team All-American Jordan Larson is a senior.