2009-10 Schedule
HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i head women's basketball coach Dana Takahara-Dias announced the 2009-10 schedule for the Rainbow Wahine, featuring a balance of home and road games in her inaugural season, including four NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago.
For the first time since 1982, the Rainbow Wahine will open the season on the road, playing three games in Southern California. UH opens the year at UC Riverside on Nov. 17, before facing Pac-10 opponent UCLA on Nov. 19. The Rainbow Wahine conclude the road trip with a game at Cal State Bakersfield on Nov. 21.
UH's home opener will be the 31st annual Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic, featuring a game against Arizona State on Nov. 27, and a game against East Tennessee State on Nov. 29. Both teams made the NCAA Tournament last season. The Rainbow Wahine will then play a single game against San Francisco on Dec. 3.
“We are pleased to host Arizona State and East Tennessee State in our three day round-robin tournament,” Takahara-Dias said. “The Sun Devils finished with a No. 12 national ranking while the Lady Bucs return from back to back NCAA tournament appearances. The Rainbow Wahine basketball program is grateful for the continued support from Jack in the Box and Waikiki Beach Marriott for its sponsorship.”
After its home opener, UH will stay on the island, but play on the road in the BYU Tournament, hosted by BYU-Hawai'i in La'ie. The Rainbow Wahine will face BYU-Hawai'i on Dec. 4 and BYU on Dec. 5.
The second trip off island during non-conference play will be at the Duel in the Desert, an eight-team tournament hosted by UNLV in Las Vegas. UH will face Kansas State in the first round on Dec. 19 and play three games total. Kansas State made the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
UH returns to the Stan Sheriff Center on Dec. 29 to face Kent State in back-to-back home games in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Classic, as the final two non-conference games.
“The Western Athletic Conference proves to be a tough and competitive league,” Takahara-Dias said. “Returning 13 players from a battle tested team, we are looking forward to taking on the challenge and having fun in conference play."
The Rainbow Wahine begin Western Athletic Conference play on the road for the third straight year. UH faces Fresno State on Jan. 6 and New Mexico State on Jan. 9 to open conference.
The WAC home opener for UH is against Idaho on Jan. 13, a stretch of three straight home games. The Rainbow Wahine will play each WAC team twice, one at home and one on the road.
For the second straight year, the WAC Tournament will be held in Reno, Nev., hosted by the University of Nevada, beginning Mar. 10 through the 13.
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