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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa women’s basketball team will enter its final season in the Big West as the favorite in the conference’s preseason poll and with two Rainbow Wahine returnees voted to the preseason all-conference team.
Coming off a second straight Big West regular-season title, the Rainbow Wahine topped the Big West preseason coaches’ poll. UH Mānoa received 91 points in the poll to place one point ahead of UC Irvine, with the ‘Bows and Anteaters both receiving four first-place votes.
Rainbow Wahine forward Imani Perez and center Ritorya Tamilo were voted to the seven-member All-Big West preseason coaches’ team.
Perez earned All-Big West second team and All-Defensive Team honors each of the last two years, and was an All-Freshman team selection in 2023. Tamilo was named the Big West Freshman of the Year last season while also earning a spot on the conference’s All-Freshman Team. She set the UH Mānoa freshman record for blocked shots with 41, breaking the previous mark of 33 that stood since 1984.
The ‘Bows went 22-10 overall and 16-4 in Big West play last season to earn the program’s sixth Big West regular-season title and third in the last four years. Head coach Laura Beeman enters her 14th season with a roster featuring seven returnees and eight newcomers. The 15-player roster also includes 11 international players.
The Rainbow Wahine will play exhibition games against Chaminade on October 21, and Hawaiʻi Pacific University on October 28, at Bankoh Arena. They open the regular season on November 4 against Portland State. Season tickets are on sale online and at the Bankoh Arena box office.
Read more at Hawaiiathletics.com.