University of Hawai'i women's basketball player Janevia Taylor apologized to teammates and coaches, and returned to practice yesterday after serving a one-game suspension Sunday.

"I've learned from it, and I'm ready to practice," said Taylor, who was suspended by coach Jim Bolla before Sunday's 68-66 victory against visiting Texas A&M for what Bolla called "conduct detrimental to the team."

Taylor, a 5-foot-5 junior from Pasadena, Calif., is considered one of the most gifted players on the team, and is the second-leading scorer on the squad with a 10.5 average in four starts. She has filled in at point guard this season, but is better as a scoring guard, Bolla said.

Bolla said Taylor needs to earn her starting job back. He added some players can "make it up in a day, some players can make it up in two or three days" and some players never get back because others step up and play better.

"I don't have a problem earning my spot back," Taylor said. "I'm not really worried about the spot. I'm worried about wins and losses. So far, we got a win, and we want to keep on winning."

Taylor said her failure to follow coaching instructions led to her one-game suspension.

"I basically didn't follow directions," she said. "It's as simple as that. That's part of listening to your coach. I made a mistake, and he made his decision on what he wanted me to do as punishment."

Without Taylor, Hawai'i rotated Dalia Solia, Amy Kotani, Cassidy Chretien and Amy Sanders as primary ballhandlers against Texas A&M. Hawai'i earned the two-point victory on a last-second putback by Sanders.

"I apologized to my coaches and my team before the game," Taylor said. "I was sad about myself, but really I was excited to see my team win the game. I'm excited to be back."

Bolla said he did not tell Taylor to apologize, and that was her own decision to address the team.

"One of our big things with the team is accountability," Bolla said. "We're not into placing blame. We're into fixing it and moving forward."

Sanders, the team's tri-captain and the reigning Western Athletic Conference player of the week, said the Rainbow Wahine welcomed Taylor back.

"The team never holds stuff against each other," Sanders said. "We're a pretty close team off the court. We're lucky we have other people who can step in. It gave Amy and Cassidy an opportunity to show what they could do."

In her freshman season, Taylor won the Ah Chew Goo Achievement Award, which is presented to the player who attains basketball excellence through dedication, determination and perseverance. Sanders won the award last season.

The Rainbow Wahine (3-2) will go on their first regular-season non-conference road trip in more than 10 years with games at San Francisco on Dec. 8 and Santa Clara on Dec. 10.

The return home Dec. 16 against Campbell.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.