University of Hawai'i women's basketball coach Jim Bolla called upon walk-on Amy Kotani to be the new starting point guard for today's game at Fresno State.

Kotani's next assignment is to call her mom with the news.

"I didn't say anything to her," said Kotani of her mother, Robin, who attends every home game. "I didn't want to get her excited. She'll get all emotional. I figure I'll just save her some tears."

The Rainbow Wahine (10-4 overall, 1-2 Western Athletic Conference) will unveil a new lineup today when they face the first-place Bulldogs (12-4, 4-0). Tipoff is 2 p.m., Hawai'i time.

Kotani, a 5-foot-2 sophomore guard from Moanalua High School, will start in her first game.

"We're putting Amy at the point," Bolla said yesterday. "Amy can handle the ball. Amy knows our offensive sets."

Kotani has 12 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists in eight games this season. She averages 8.3 minutes per game, and is one of three UH players (Taylor and Amber Lee) with more assists than turnovers.

With Kotani at point guard, Janevia Taylor will move to shooting guard, where she's more comfortable, Bolla said.

Amy Sanders will move to small forward, Pam Tambini will play power forward, and Brittany Grice can play center, Bolla said.

"I think our execution will be better in our offensive sets," said Bolla, who added that several of his players can play multiple spots. "We needed to make this change to be more efficient."

Bolla hoped the lineup shuffle would free Taylor and Sanders from primary ballhandling duties, and allow them to concentrate on defense and offense.

Hawai'i is looking to break a two-game losing streak. It lost to visiting Louisiana Tech in overtime on Jan. 12, and visiting New Mexico State in double overtime on Jan. 14.

The Bulldogs are led by senior forward Amy Parrish who averages 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com.