First-year University of Hawai'i women's basketball coach Dana Takahara-Dias finalized her staff yesterday, announcing the addition of Patrick Knapp. He is the third assistant hired by Takahara-Dias.

Knapp comes to UH with 26 years of head coaching experience, spending the last five seasons as head coach at the University of Pennsylvania. Penn is in the Ivy League, which does not give athletic scholarships.

"He will provide an increased geography base in the recruiting department as he is well respected on the East Coast ...," Takahara-Dias said. "He comes with skills that can help us off the bat."

Prior to Penn, Knapp was head coach at Georgetown University for 18 seasons. In four of his last six years at Georgetown, his teams advanced to the Women's National Invitation Tournament. His teams won 17 games or more six times.

Knapp began his head coaching career at New Mexico State in 1983. He has won 341 games in 26 years as head coach.

Knapp, who is expected to start work here Monday, joins associate coach Da Houl and assistant coach Serenda Valdez to complete Takahara-Dias' staff.

"I feel blessed to have the caliber and quality of top notch assistant coaches, each will bring a tremendous amount of knowledge to the program," Takahara-Dias said

The team's first official practice is Oct. 16. It plays an exhibition against Hawai'i Pacific Nov. 4 and opens its season in Southern California, taking on UC Riverside Nov. 17, UCLA Nov. 19 and Cal State Bakersfield Nov. 21. Its first home game is Nov. 27, against Arizona State, in the Jack In The Box Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Meanwhile, senior shooting guard Megan Tinnin has withdrawn from school and returned to New Mexico "to take care of family matters." Tinnin started 29 games last season. She led the team in points and 3-pointers and was third in rebounds.

Rainbow Wahine season tickets are on sale, at $60 for adults and $50 for senior citizens. Fans can purchase season tickets at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, by calling 944-2697, or online at www.HawaiiAthletics.com.

The box office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on holidays).

Individual tickets for men's and women's basketball go on sale Oct. 19.