HONOLULU— University of Hawai'i women's basketball will compete in the 2018 Duel in the Desert, which is set for December 19-21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The field includes Florida, Hawai'i, Kansas, Northwestern, UNLV, Utah, Washington State, and Wichita State.
The 2018-19 campaign marks the second consecutive season UH has competed in the event and will tip off the festivities with host UNLV on the 19th, at 10 a.m. HT. The Bows will be a part of the Rebel Division and will compete against either Utah or Florida on the 21st.
The Rainbow Wahine are coming off a 2017-18 season where they finished 12-18 overall, including an eighth-place finish in the Big West Conference standings with a berth into the conference tournament. UH fell to eventual tournament champions, CSUN 62-57 in the opening round of the tournament.
Head coach
Laura Beeman will return four difference makers who showed tremendous upside and growth a year ago. Seniors
Tia Kanoa and
Lahni Salanoa will spearhead the offensive attack, along with juniors
Julissa Tago and
Makenna Woodfolk adding support.
Kanoa led the Big West Conference in assists a year ago with just over five per game and 154 total. She'll be the floor general for the Bows and will control the pace of the offense. Salanoa will look to continue her reputation as a premier sharpshooter in the conference; she led the Bows in three-point makes last season with 47, and notched double-digit scoring in 13 games.
Tago, the second-leading scorer behind
Sarah Toeaina with nine points per game, will carry a heavier load for the offense in the upcoming year. Woodfolk will continue to stretch defenses with her ability to control the post while stepping out to showcase her long-range skills. Last season Woodfolk led the team in four offensive categories, including three-point percentage at 34 percent and total rebounds with 184.
All teams competing in the Duel event will stay at the world-famous New York New York hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The NYC-themed hotel features a roller coaster, full casino, and multiple restaurants. For more information about the 2018 Duel in the Desert visit
www.duelindesert.com.
The remaining 2018-19 schedule for the Rainbow Wahine has not yet been finalized and will be released at a later time.
