Four players signed with Rainbow Wahine volleyball yesterday, on the first official day of the fall signing period.

All members of Hawai'i's Class of 2010 come from California. Setter Mita Uiato is from Long Beach. The others can all play middle blocker or, more likely, outside hitter. Kaela Goodman is from Mission Viejo, Emily Hartong from Los Alamitos and Michelle Waber from Lake Elsinore.

"This class definitely fills a lot of our needs," UH coach Dave Shoji said. "Each player has a chance to contribute immediately. With these players, our future teams look promising."

The Rainbows lose five seniors off this team — middle blocker Amber Kaufman, hitters Aneli Cubi-Otineru and Catherine Fowler, setter Stephanie Brandt and defensive specialist Jayme Lee. Kaufman and Cubi-Otineru are three-year starters.

Shoji calls Uiato, who is 5 feet 8, "a natural born setter" and UH's setter of the future after Dani Mafua graduates next year. Uiato's club coach compares her skills to Mafua.

Uiato played club volleyball for Laguna Beach with Goodman, a 6-1 hitter in high school who just came back from injury. Goodman, who was born in Hawai'i, was touching 10 feet 2 as a junior.

"Kaela can play the right or the left," Shoji said. "She has great blocking skills and will add to our depth at the outside hitter position."

Waber is a 6-3 hitter from Elsinore High School who plays for the 951 Elite club. She is one of 24 players selected to train with USA Volleyball over the winter break.

"Michelle is a natural left-side hitter, even though she has played middle most of her high school career," Shoji said. "We feel like she has great all-around skills and may be able to contribute right away."

Hartong, who is 6-1, played for the Mizuno Long Beach Club, with her team capturing a Junior Olympic title last summer. Hartong was named all-tournament and club coach JP Calderon cites her quickness and hang time as huge assets, along with "a sweet demeanor."

"Emily reminds me a lot of Amber Kaufman," Shoji said. "She hits behind the setter extremely well and is an active blocker."

Moloka'i junior Kalei Adolpho has verbally committed to play for UH in 2011. She also plans to play basketball.