University of Hawai'i first baseman Tyleen Tausaga Tuesday was named the Western Athletic Conference's Preseason Player of the Year.

Now it must determined how much Tausaga will be able to play this season.

Last summer, Tausaga suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during a jumping drill. A recent MRI showed that injury has completely healed.

But last week, she suffered a torn meniscus in her left knee during a shuttle drill.

"It was kind of hard for me to take," Tausaga said. "Last week, I was kind of bummed. I'm over it now. A lot of people are looking up to me to stay strong."

The tentative plan is for Tausaga to be used as the designated player for the Feb. 8 season opener against Portland State.

"Right now, I'm going to play on it and see how it goes," she said. "If I can't, I've got to go through with the surgery."

Tausaga would be eligible for a medical hardship if she does not play in more than 20 percent of the Rainbow Wahine's games this season. That equates to a maximum 10 games, all of which must be played in the first 30 games.

Joining Tausaga on the preseason All-WAC team are teammates Kaulana Gould, Kate Robinson and Justine Smethurst.

Fresno State received five of the seven first-place votes and was picked to finish first. Hawai'i, which received one No. 1 vote, was picked second.

Nevada was picked to finish third, followed by New Mexico State, San Jose State, Louisiana Tech and Utah State.