Seasiders and Sea Warriors head for showdown
Honolulu HI Star-Bulletin 9Nov99 S3
By Cindy Luis: Star-Bulletin

The confrontation is likely to happen next week in Laie when BYU-Hawaii is expected to host the Far West Regional. Just like last season, the two top teams in the country are from the islands. Only one team can go on to the NCAA national tournament, Dec. 2-4, in Battle Creek, Mich.

Wilfred Navalta, the BYU-Hawaii coach hopes history doesn't repeat itself. Last season, his top-ranked Seasiders were upset by Tita Ahuna's Sea Warriors in the regional final a week after his team defeated HPU for the PacWest title. HPU then went on to win the Division II championship.

Navalta said that having the home-court advantage next week won't necessarily mean a cake-walk for his Seasiders. He feels that two other teams in the regional have a shot at winning: No. 10 Cal State Bakersfield and No. 20 Cal State Los Angeles.

Ahuna is also feeling pretty good. "We're in the same situation as last year,'' she said. "Except last year we were virtually an unknown. We're not looking at ourselves as the defending national champions. That's in the past. We have a new wave to ride this season. Now's the time to catch it.''