Rainbow Wahine senior center Tanya Smith has been named to the All-Western Athletic Conference second team.

Smith, who ranks second in the nation in rebounding with 11.8 boards per game, was also named to the WAC All-Defensive team.

She was the only University of Hawai'i player named to one of the all-conference teams.

The Australian native earned first-team all-conference honors last year.

Smith's production in the post — she had 10 double-doubles in WAC play — remained consistent throughout a difficult season of growing pains and head-scratching losses for the Rainbows.

As one of only two true post players to start the season for UH (senior reserve Iwona Zagrobelna was the other), Smith routinely faced double- and triple-teams every time she touched the ball close to the basket. She earned a slight reprieve when Tara Hittle joined the team at midseason, but reclaimed the role of Target No. 1 when Zagrobelna was lost for the season with a dislocated patella.

Smith's best stretch this season came when she scored a career-high 25 points against Boise State then followed up with a WAC-record 25 rebounds against Idaho.

Smith and the Rainbows will have a chance to exact revenge on New Mexico State, which rallied from 19 down to beat UH last Thursday, when the two meet in the first round of the WAC Tournament on Wednesday at 2 p.m. (Hawai'i time).

RAINBOWS GET PLAYER FROM NEW ZEALAND

The Rainbow Wahine have secured a commitment from promising New Zealand post Rebecca Dew.

The 6-foot-3 Dew is a member of the New Zealand Junior National Team. She was born in Florida but has citizenship in New Zealand, where her parents serve as missionaries.

UH head coach Jim Bolla said Dew and her parents visited with his staff during a stop-over two years ago.

Bolla said he expects to use five of the seven available scholarships he has at his disposal.

While size would appear to be the most evident need with the departures of seniors Tanya Smith and Iwona Zagrobelna, Bolla said his top priority is athleticism.

"I'd take a 6-foot-1 player who's athletic over a 6-4 player who can't get up the court," he said.

Hawai'i hosted three recruits last week. Other visits are scheduled for after the team returns from the WAC Tournament.

ALL-WAC

FIRST TEAM

G—Dellena Criner (Nevada), 5-7, Jr.

G—Tasha Harris (Boise State), 5-7, Jr.

F—Sherell Neal (New Mexico State), 6-0, Sr.

F—JoKeirra Sneed (Louisiana Tech), 6-2, Sr.

G—Tierre Wilson (Fresno State), 5-8, Sr.

SECOND TEAM

F—Anikia Jawara (New Mexico State), 6-0, Sr.

P—Katie Madison (Idaho), 6-0, So.

G—Jaleesa Ross (Fresno State), 5-8, Fr.

F—Tanya Smith (Hawai'i), 6-3, Sr.

C—Jessica Thompson (Boise State), 5-7, Jr.

Player of the Year: Tierre Wilson (Fresno State)

Coach of the Year: Adrian Wiggins (Fresno State)

Newcomer of the Year: Jaleesa Ross (Fresno State)

Defensive Player of the Year: Dellena Criner (Nevada)

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

G— Hayley Munro (Fresno State), 6-1

P— Yinka Olorunnife (Idaho), 6-0

G—Jaleesa Ross (Fresno State), 6-0

G—Madison Spence (New Mexico State), 5-11

G—Tarkeisha Wysinger (Louisiana State), 5-8

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM

G—Delenna Criner (Nevada) 5-7, Jr.

G—Cherlanda Franklin (Nevada), 5-10, Jr.

G—Tasha Harris (Boise State), 5-7, Jr.

F—Sherell Neal (New Mexico State), 6-0, Sr.

F—Tanya Smith (Hawai'i), 6-3, Sr.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.