In its last home bash, third-ranked Hawai 'i swept Utah State, clinched its 14th Western Athletic Conference regular-season title in as many years of membership and extended its volleyball winning streak to 19.

The scores were 25-11, 25-12, 25-21, before a Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 6,087 last night.

Hawai 'i fans won't see this team at home again until next year, unless it hosts an NCAA subregional — an idea so foreign to the NCAA that UH coach Dave Shoji won't even contemplate the thought, although the school did put in a bid.

Last night's crowd clearly wanted more —and got it as the Rainbow Wahine (23-2, 13-0 WAC) celebrated Aneli Cubi-Otineru, Amber Kaufman, Stephanie Brandt, Jayme Lee and Catherine Fowler on their Senior Night.

It was a diverse celebration for a diverse group, although every senior agreed that one thing they would miss most was running out the tunnel into an arena filled with the country's largest and most loyal following.

The seniors are the ones who led the raucous celebration for Shoji's 1,000th win last month. They have anchored Hawai 'i's most recent run at its fifth national championship.

Utah State coach Grayson DuBose believes the Rainbow Wahine's diversity might be their finest trait.

"They are so physical and so gifted and the five seniors have really made them focused this year, it seems to me," DuBose said. "It doesn't look like they are quite as distracted. They look really on track all the time. Plus, they've got some nice weapons in place, a bunch of them, too. That makes them real tough to stop."

Fowler, who studied dance for 12 years before taking volleyball seriously in Arkansas, transferred here last year after two seasons with the Razorbacks. The bubbly free spirit has thrown herself into the Hawai 'i experience and culture she craved after coming so far from home.

"She is her own person," Kaufman said of her teammate. "I say I'm going to be who I am, I don't care. But she takes it to a whole 'nother level. I respect that about her."

Kaufman calls Lee "the hardest worker I know." Dani Mafua describes the 5-foot Hawai 'i Baptist graduate as "a big sister to everyone."

Lee walked on to the team — calling it a "total test of your faith" — and earned the starting libero spot as a freshman, along with a place on the All-WAC Freshman Team. She has been a backup the past three years, but the work ethic she will follow into a medical career never wavered.

Brandt, who is Lee's roommate, was an all-Big West setter for UC Santa Barbara as a freshman before transferring here. She earned the starting spot her first match in Mänoa and has been an all-WAC Tournament selection the past two seasons — taking over for an injured Mafua last year.

The past two seasons she has specialized in serving, defense and upbeat energy. "Every time she comes in she's got just the happiest face," said UH sophomore Kanani Danielson, who collected her fifth double-double last night. "I have a smile every time I see her."

In contrast, Kaufman's game face varies from agony to ecstasy. At .477, the all-WAC middle is in the process of shattering former national player of the year Angelica Ljungquist's UH record for hitting percentage. She is also an All-America high jumper with two seasons left to snare a national title. First she is focused on playing to her vast potential in volleyball, and lifting UH with her.

"When she gets on a run, everyone feels good," Brandt said. "People are scared of her when she gets going."

"I'll miss her fire," Danielson said. "The adrenaline that keeps her going and after she gets that kill, the celebration. It's just wonderful to see. She is my energy."

Cubi-Otineru has become the "sister I never had" for Mafua. The 2003 state high school player of the year already had family all over the court last night, all wearing "WoooA..neli" shirts. She picked Shoji up after she was introduced and looked as if she never wanted the party to stop.

On the court she is all business. Her all-WAC game is anchored in great instincts and she has command of every skill, including celebrations. Setters never hesitate to go to her.

"No way," Mafua said. "I trust her with everything. With my own life."

Cubi-Otineru also anchors the Rainbow Wahine's emotions.

"I'll miss her 'tita' attitude," Kaufman said. "She can be so nice, but she's also the one that keeps everyone in check."

Hawai 'i will be the top seed in the WAC Tournament, which begins Nov. 23 in Las Vegas. Utah State (14-13, 5-9) is seventh with two matches remaining. The top six go to the tournament this year.

USU struggled with everything but its blocking last night, with its passing especially poor. Not coincidentally, Hawai 'i's offense had one of its finest nights, hitting nearly .500 the first two sets and .290 in the third when it started three reserves.

Cubi-Otineru and Danielson had 13 kills apiece for the Rainbow Wahine, and did not have a hitting error until deep in the third set. Danielson also had 14 digs.

Hawai 'i ends the regular season on the road, at Boise State Thursday, Idaho Saturday and Utah State next Monday.