That mask Aneli Cubi-Otineru is wearing to protect her broken nose received more style points than seventh-ranked Hawai'i in its 2008 Western Athletic Conference volleyball debut this weekend.

After they stumbled through a win over Idaho Friday, the Rainbow Wahine (9-2, 2-0 WAC) bumbled through a sweep of Boise State last night, 25-11, 25-18, 29-27. Their eighth straight win came before 4,752 and most probably left Stan Sheriff Center wondering what team will show up next, the 'Bows who looked so clutch in an upset of Washington last week, or the 'Bows who leave on their first road trip Tuesday with bad WAC memories?

Not that 10-time defending WAC champion Hawai'i was ever really in danger of losing this weekend. The 'Bows were so confident and comfortable that, at Liz Ka'aihue's suggestion, they ran out for warmups last night wearing tape on their noses in a quirky show of support for Cubi-Otineru. She collided with teammate Amber Kaufman's elbow in practice Thursday and will be wearing tape and a protective mask for the near future.

Still, Boise's subs nearly swiped a set off the Rainbow reserves in the third, holding off — with UH's help — three match points and then failing three times to extend the night to four sets. UH freshmen Stephanie Ferrell and Kanani Herring stifled the set points, before Kaufman and Jessica Keefe stuffed Eliza Griffin to make it 28-27.

Griffin, by far the Broncos' most effective hitter with 11 kills, hit into the net on the fourth match point.

Herring finished with her sixth double-double (10 kills, 15 digs) and Cubi-Otineru — also "honored" by family in the stands wearing goggles — collected nine kills and five aces.

"If you want to be cool, you've got to wear goggles now," Cubi-Otineru said with a grin.

She was not smiling about how her team played. "We have to have the mindset that anybody we play is out to get us no matter where they are seeded," she said. "We've been taking the WAC too lightly. It's hard mentally because Washington is really good; the game is fast there. We just need to push ourselves, mentally prepare a lot better."

Kaufman was just as adamant: "It's not what it should have been," she admitted. "We need to keep our energy up, need to practice well this week so we get our things back in order."

Coach Dave Shoji called it "ugly volleyball," but insisted it would not be a problem as his team goes on the road. It plays at New Mexico State, UH's only real rival the last two seasons.

"We need more incentive and I think we'll be fine next Saturday," Shoji said. "It was just hard this weekend because of what we did last weekend. It's impossible to get that same level two weeks in a row.

"We just weren't into it emotionally and you have to be if you want to look good and play well. We don't have so much talent where we can just show up and dominate. We have to be into it."

Life was good for Hawai'i when it scored 21 of the first 29 points against Boise (3-8, 1-1), picked to finish seventh by conference coaches.

The Broncos had won their last three, but had just five kills and two digs in the first set. UH scored nine points directly off serves — those BSU could not handle and those it could not keep in — and coasted.

"I think their passing is good, their ball control is good," said BSU coach Robin Davis, who raved about Herring. "You almost have to pass (Tara) Hittle, which is ridiculous. They can be really solid. I think they are probably making more errors than top-10 teams do. Dave knows that, I think they know that, but when they steady out they are going to be tough."

UH was not quite as imposing in the second set, but still hit .310, had 19 digs and never trailed.

Shoji gave Ka'aihue — last year's libero — her first start in the third set and also brought in Ferrell for Jamie Houston, who sat down with nine kills. Catherine Fowler played for Nickie Thomas in the middle. More changes followed and consistency suffered.

Davis still liked what he saw, particularly the 'Bows' serving.

"In my opinion, Hawai'i is 100 percent better than last year ...," he said, ticking off a list of improved players and Herring. "It's pretty solid."

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