A nanosecond after being invited to the 64-team NCAA softball tournament, the University of Hawai'i players responded in a way that was loud, clear and purposeful.

They yelled.

"We screamed pretty loud," second baseman Alana Power said. "We're pretty happy."

The Rainbow Wahine (46-11) will play UC Santa Barbara (30-21) Friday in the Los Angeles Regional. Loyola Marymount and host UCLA are the other teams in that Regional.

Even before exiting the double-elimination Western Athletic Conference with a 1-2 record, the Rainbows believed they already had made their case for a berth in one of the 16 regionals. The WAC's regular-season champions were No. 16 in the Rating Percentage Index, 13-8 against top-50 teams and 7-3 in their final 10 games.

After his team was ousted from the WAC tournament Friday, Coolen was approached by two prominent officials.

"One was connected with the regional committee, so they knew where we were (rated) in the (West) region," Coolen said. "They wished us luck in the regionals, so that was a good sign."

But history has shown that the NCAA has not always been kind to deserving UH teams.

"You never know," Tausaga said. "That's why I was nervous."

Power said: "I think there was a small percentage we weren't going, but for the most part we were confident."

The Rainbows had decided to remain in Fresno, site of the WAC Tournament. They booked a room in the Silver Dollar Hofbrau restaurant to watch ESPN News' telecast of the Regional announcements.

"We had our own private room," Power said. "We had a big-screen TV. It was pretty much the comfort of our living room."

Shortly after the first commercial break, it was announced the Rainbows were heading to Los Angeles.

"They just popped it on the screen," Tausaga said. "I wasn't paying attention, and everybody started yelling. I looked and saw 'Hawai'i' on the screen and I started yelling. It was a relief."

It also is a favorable scenario for the Rainbows, who will make the four-hour bus ride to Los Angeles tomorrow.

"Traveling is always hard on us," pitcher/first baseman Kate Robinson said. "It takes us an entire day to travel to our site. This one is only four hours away. It'll be good for us."

Coolen said the Rainbows will practice in Fresno today. They will travel to Los Angeles tomorrow. Because they will not be allowed to practice on UCLA's field until Thursday, they need to find a practice field for Wednesday.

But those are concerns for another day. UH also has erased its near past.

"It's 0-0 all over again," Tausaga said. "Whatever happened in the WAC (tournament) doesn't matter anymore. We've got our bid. Now we're going for the bigger reward.

"When we lost to Nevada (last Friday in the WAC tournament), I was in shock," Tausaga added. "I had no words. I was disappointed we didn't do as well as we should have. But the WAC is done. Everybody is renewed and excited to play. School is over. We have nothing to worry about except softball. We'll be focused."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.