HONOLULU — The transition game is in full effect for the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team in the run-up to the 2026-27 season.
The Rainbow Wahine turned up the tempo on the court as they opened official practices this week in preparation for their first year under the direction of new head coach
Khalilah Mitchell, and their inaugural campaign as a member of the Mountain West Conference.
After seven seasons as an assistant coach, Mitchell was hired in April to succeed
Laura Beeman, who retired from coaching following her 14
th season leading the program. After laying a foundation in summer workouts, the 'Bows hit the ground running and were in near constant motion in their initial practices of the fall. The shift in tempo spoke to Mitchell's mission to establish a free-flowing style as she transitions into her new role.
"They have completely bought into the style," Mitchell said.
"It's a read-and-react offense … They make the reads, they react to what the defense does, and because of that, that allows opportunity for free flow. So everybody gets an opportunity to score."
Among those eager to get up to speed with the new attack is sophomore guard
Bailey Flavell, who earned Big West Freshman of the Year honors last season and set the program's freshman scoring record.
"I definitely embrace that a lot. I love to play fast … play freely," Flavell said. "I'm really excited for this season and our new style of play. I think it will be really beneficial, and I'm just super excited."
Flavell is among eight returning letterwinners from a 2025-26 team that went 22-11 and advanced to the final of the Big West Championship in Henderson, Nev. After a slow start, the 'Bows went 14-1 to close the regular season, then pulled out back-to-back overtime victories in the conference tournament before falling to UC San Diego in the title game.
Flavell was one of two players to start all 33 games last season, averaging a team-high 29.6 minutes per game. She set the program's freshman scoring record with 415 points, surpassing the previous mark of 409 set by Judy Mosley in 1986-87, and became just the fifth freshman in program history and the first since the 2010-11 season to lead the team in scoring.
"I definitely feel a lot more prepared, like I know what to expect," Flavell said. "I've had a college season under my belt. I think this year is going to have its challenges, you know, we're moving conferences to the Mountain West, so I think that in itself is going to be a big challenge. But just super excited again for the season."
The frontcourt is led by the return of junior
Ritorya Tamilo, who was voted the Big West's Best Sixth Player by the league's coaches. Tamilo led the team in field-goal percentage (.520) last season and ranked second in the Big West with 1.55 blocked shots per game.
"I think the transition has been pretty easy, especially for us who have been here," Tamilo said. "We're really comfortable with Coach K, and so we know what she's like, she knows what we're like."
Also returning are senior guard
Jovi Lefotu, the longest tenured player in the program now in her fifth year. Guard
Jade Peacock started 19 games last season, and junior forward
Rebecca Moors made 12 starts. Guards
Kyra Webb and
Teyahna Bond were regular contributors as freshmen and center
Fiamma Serra returns to the frontcourt.
The returnees are joined by two transfers, guard
Liz Udeze and forward
Zyriah Price, and freshmen
Taryn Bond and
Payton Mills.
"I love that, because that gives everybody an opportunity to play and perform and makes everybody's task that much bigger," Mitchell said of the 12-player roster. "I look at the girls like a puzzle, every piece is so vital to complete this puzzle."
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