Jim Bolla yesterday said he hoped to return "very soon" to coaching his University of Hawai'i women's basketball team following an undisclosed surgical procedure last week.

"I don't have a definitive time frame for my return but I'm hopeful it will be very soon," Bolla said in a prepared statement.

Bolla is recovering at his Manoa home after his release Monday from The Queen's Medical Center, where he underwent surgery Feb. 5.

Bolla thanked the Hawai'i community, UH team physician Dr. Robert Kagawa, and the Queen's medical staff yesterday.

"The surgeons did a fantastic job and I'm feeling better and stronger every day," he said.

Meanwhile, the 'Bows will look to add to their four-game Western Athletic Conference winning streak tonight when they host Fresno State.

It will be the first home game under interim coach Pat Charity, who led the team to road wins at New Mexico State and at Louisiana Tech last week.

Senior guard Cassidy Chretien hit the winning free throws with six seconds left in Hawai'i's 60-59 win over LaTech, the five-time defending WAC champ. Saturday's win was UH's first in six trips at Ruston, La.

"The feeling was great," said Chretien, who lives 3 1/2 hours away in Lake Charles, La. "To beat LaTech at LaTech, and to do it in front of my family, it was a memorable moment for me, especially for me being a senior."

Players said Charity has galvanized the team with her enthusiasm.

"She always reinforces that we can do it as long as we play together," Hawai'i center Brittany Grice said. "She exhibits her emotions a lot more."

"She encourages you," Chretien added. "She's more one-on-one, she'll talk to you. She's very positive."

Charity said the 'Bows were primed for success.

"I knew they would turn the corner at some point," she said. "I was really happy for them and coach Bolla."

UH continues its three-game homestand with Utah State Saturday and San Jose State Feb. 24.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.