No truth to the rumor fourth-ranked Hawai'i went into its Western Athletic Conference volleyball opener tonight with one hand tied behind its back so it could scare up a challenge.

Rainbow Wahine All-American Kanani Danielson was home with "flu-like symptoms." Her teammates managed to make Boise State feel sick all by themselves, sweeping the Broncos, 25-21, 25-14, 25-14, to run their winning streak to six.
Hawai'i (10-2) has won all six via sweep and there was little doubt it would be the same tonight in front of 3,374 at Stan Sheriff Center — even without the 'Bows' kill leader. Boise State, picked to finish eighth in the WAC, dropped to 0-11 under first-year coach Shawn Garus, who was hired just three months ago from UNC-Greensboro.
By the time the first set was over, 10 Rainbow Wahine had played. Alexis Robins subbed into Set 2 and Alexis Forsythe started Set 3 to make it an even dozen.
Aneli Cubi-Otineru shifted into Danielson's position, Stephanie Ferrell took Cubi-Otineru's place in the rotation and sophomore Corinne Cascioppo got her first start since transferring to Hawai'i this season. It must have worked because Cubi-Otineru had 13 kills and Ferrell 11. The middle attack added 16 more, hit .681 and dropped in on nine of 10 blocks.
Freshman Liz Harden led the Broncos with eight kills and hit .778.
Boise's four missed serves were the only difference in the opening set. The last put the Broncos in a 12-8 hole and they spent the rest of the set matching Hawai'i kill for kill and dig for dig.
Cubi-Otineru was hot early with five kills at the first timeout and five digs at the second. That's where she finished, with Ferrell adding five more kills. She and freshman Brittany Hewitt had two blocks apiece.
There was more separation in Set 2, starting with Hawai'i's serving. Amber Kaufman and Cubi-Otineru both had consecutive aces as the 'Bows blew to a 9-3 lead. Ferrell would go for five more kills as UH hit .450.
The final set saw both teams surge and slump, but Hawai'i scored seven of the first 10 points and never trailed.
Hawai'i plays Idaho Saturday to end its season-opening 13-match homestand.