In the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine, the New Mexico State women's volleyball team sees its dreams.

But for all the Aggies have put into their dogged pursuit of that ideal, sometimes it must seem as if they are chasing a phantasm.

Only once in 22 matches have the Aggies been able to beat the Rainbow Wahine. Four times in the last six matches they have taken UH to five games with but one win to show for it. When they played last month in Las Cruces, N.M., the Aggies went to match point six times and still couldn't pull it off.

But like Charlie Brown and that football in the Peanuts comic strip, the Aggies arrive here tomorrow for Friday's Western Athletic Conference showdown determined to take another kick, believing this is their year.

And a showdown it is, matching the Nos. 11 and 13 teams in the country, the reigning nine-time Western Athletic Conference champion and the would-be successor at the Stan Sheriff Center. It is the match of the conference regular season. Win it and UH takes the regular season, barring a pratfall. Lose it, and the Rainbow Wahine could end up sharing the regular season title with the Aggies heading into the WAC Tournament in Las Cruces, N.M.

New Mexico State should have had a piece of it last year after beating UH in Las Cruces to end the Rainbow Wahine's NCAA-record conference winning streak at 132 matches over eight seasons. But because they dropped a match to Nevada along the way, a share of the title eluded the Aggies. Again.

Since Brigham Young high-tailed it out of the WAC a decade ago, nobody has given UH a harder run for the title. And, nobody has come away more frustrated. Two years ago in Manoa the Aggies were up 13-12 in game 5. "Hawaii scored the last three points of the match and, I want to say, blocked three straight balls, so we had our chances there," recalls Mike Jordan, the NMSU coach. "So, yeah, it is frustrating.

"I think the reality is that Hawai'i and us are very comparable. I mean, you look at the match (in Las Cruces) and you look at the matches we have had over the last couple of years and how we've done against our common opponents and you see a trend. We're very evenly matched in a lot of respects."

Jordan maintains, "I'd be very surprised if Dave (Shoji) didn't feel fortunate to get outta (Las Cruces) with that win. We dominated the fourth game pretty much and had a lead in Game 3 that we let slip away. In Game 5 we had six match points. They had only two. And we let a couple of easy plays slip through our fingers. So, I certainly don't get the impression that they are (unbeatable). I certainly respect them but I cannot really say for sure that they are better than we are. I think it is evenly matched. At least it was (in Las Cruces). But we also had the home court advantage and now they are going to have it."

Now the Aggies have their work cut out for them if they are to stand should to shoulder with UH. "I think you take steps in (advancing) your program," Jordan said. "And going on the road and beating a team that is as vastly recognized as Hawai'i on their home court, well, that would be a huge step. It is something that if — and when — it happens would be great for any program that did it."

The Aggies would like to be that team, but first they have to catch a ghost.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.