It only took a 4 a.m. wake-up call, two three-hour flights and a three-hour bus ride for the University of Hawai'i softball team to descend to Earth.

"I think the emotional high is wearing off," head coach Bob Coolen said of the celebratory mood after the Rainbow Wahine won the NCAA Los Angeles Regional on Sunday.

The Rainbows still were upbeat when they gathered in the hotel lobby in Los Angeles yesterday to prepare for the long day's journey to Knoxville, Tenn. They play host Tennessee Friday and Saturday in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional.

During the bus ride from Greenville, S.C., to Knoxville, videos were shown of the Rainbows' Regional victories over UCLA and UC Santa Barbara.

"That was exciting to watch, but it's been a very long day," pitcher Justine Smethurst said during the ride. "Half of the team is asleep. The others are zombies."

The Rainbows should be refreshed when they practice today at Maryville College and tomorrow at Tennessee's Tyson Park.

"We know it's going to be a tough challenge," said Tyleen Tausaga, the first baseman/designated player. "We're not worried. We're going to do what we've been doing during the postseason: hit the ball and play defense."

The Rainbows also will rely on Smethurst, their renewed ace. The sophomore right-hander from Australia was admittedly not at her best during the regular season. But in the Western Athletic Conference and Los Angeles Regional, Smethurst was 3-1 with a 0.93 earned-run average. She struck out 33 in 30 innings.

In Los Angeles, her riseball was timed at 70 mph, which is the equivalent of a high-90-mph fastball in baseball.

"Juz was bringing it," Coolen said. "She's really fresh right now. Her pitches were moving."

Coolen said Smethurst, who will start in Friday's opener, has benefitted from watching videotapes of her games.

"You can see all of the things you do or don't do correctly," Coolen said. "It's a reminder that: 'I'm a good pitcher.' Visual aid is amazing."

Smethurst said allowing leadoff baserunners in the Regional improved her focus.

"It made me mentally tough," Smethurst said. "I had to work harder."

Tausaga said the Rainbows have adjusted to the Mainland. This is their third week on the road.

"We're missing home and stuff, but being around each other makes it easier," Tausaga said. "We're only focusing on softball."

Tausaga acknowledged the Rainbows were distracted entering the WAC tournament in Fresno two weeks ago. They had finished final examinations and needed to move from their dormitories. They went 1-2 in the WAC tournament, then won all three Regional games.

"We're back in the groove," Tausaga said. "Our bats are coming around. We believe we're going to do good things."

GAMES ON TV

OC16 will telecast all games in the NCAA Super Regional between the University of Hawai'i and host Tennessee.

Friday's broadcast will be 2 p.m. Hawai'i time with a rebroadcast at 7 p.m. Saturday's telecast is 10 a.m. If UH and UT play a third game in the best-of-three series, it will be shown at about 12:30 p.m. The Saturday rebroadcast will start at 6 p.m.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.