HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i women's basketball program began a new era under head coach Dana Takahara-Dias Friday night, holding its first official practice of the year.

 

The Rainbow Wahine welcome back 11 letterwinners and three starters from last year's team and are excited to begin a new era.

 

Takahara-Dias was hired May 28, 2009 and became the seventh head coach in program history. Takahara-Dias rounded out her staff with former UH assistants Da Houl and Serenda Valdez and assistant coach Patrick Knapp.

 

“I think we are all excited to begin the season, this is one of the best times of the year,” Takahara-Dias said. “The team is really coming along and now we get to start working together as a unit.”

 

UH returns junior point guard Keisha Kanekoa, who led the team last season averaging 11 points and 3.25 assists per game. Senior forward Dita Liepkalne also returns for her final year, after starting all 31 games last season.

 

Friday night is the first official time the NCAA allows teams to practice as a group. The Rainbow Wahine are preparing for their first game Nov. 4 an exhibition against Hawai'i Pacific at 7 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.