Even taking into account that every Rainbow Wahine volleyball season is like no other, this was a wild one. It was part comedy and tragedy, drama and documentary, with an uplifting conclusion even a not-so-surprising ending could destroy.

Hawai'i's roller-coaster ride peaked Friday when the 12th-seeded 'Bows shocked fifth-seeded Southern California in an NCAA Championship Honolulu Regional semifinal. Fourth-seeded UCLA came along Saturday and sent UH careening over the edge. The season ended at 29-6, a win away from this week's final four.

The Rainbows' remarkable postseason will live on as the year's most vivid memory.

"That will be the thing people remember," UH coach Dave Shoji insisted. "This is the team that lost the (Western Athletic Conference) streak, but in the same breath people will say it is the one that beat USC and got to the regional final."

Three weeks ago, there was little hint of greatness in this group. The loss at New Mexico State on Friday, Oct. 13, which ended UH's eight-year, NCAA-record conference winning streak, looked as if it would be the legacy lingering after a short postseason appearance.

"A month ago we weren't sure how we'd respond to any situation," associate coach Kari Ambrozich said. "We didn't know at which point we were going to show up. Were we going to struggle with things that were really simple or were we on fire? It seemed like we were either hot or cold, no middle ground." The Rainbow Wahine lost three starters to injury before the season was half over. They floundered while trying to fill the pukas and pass the ball. They won much more than they lost, but rarely found a rhythm and the turmoil was not limited to the court.

And then, after hitting bottom in two ugly wins in Idaho, they found themselves, and salvaged their season, at the WAC Tournament. All the perspective and endless repetitions and faith and talent came together.

"I doubted we could get to that point," Shoji admitted. "It was so sporadic I was not really sure. And the character of the team at that time was in question — whether we had players tough enough mentally, and were they going to stick it out or get frustrated. Our players put all their problems aside and decided to just go play and have fun. They got a little more comfortable and no one was on edge or blaming anyone else at that point. They all took responsibility for their own area. That played a huge part in our turnaround."

The 'Bows blasted to a ninth consecutive WAC championship, then stuffed Oregon and Long Beach State at the NCAA subregional in California before feeling the love from their fans after trouncing the Trojans in a phenomenal fifth game. Even the Bruins leaving them in ruins Saturday could not spoil that.

"We had three starters go down," Shoji said. "You take three starters out of any lineup and I'm not sure they get to the final eight teams.

"I thought it was a wonderful year for these players to just endure what they had to endure. That's what I want them to remember and the fans to remember — that this is a really good team that came a long way. It's hard to go out this way, but we should be proud of this team."

It was Hawai'i's highest finish since the final-four years of 2002 and 2003. UH won 16 of its last 17 and started a frenzy of fans desperately searching for satellite TV when it reached the regional final.

All with a team that played its final 18 matches with no margin for error and almost all its options obliterated by injury. The only front-row sub on scholarship was backup setter Cayley Thurlby. Freshman Amber Kaufman had to give up her red-shirt year and start mid-season.

"That's what I'm going to remember about this team," senior Sarah Mason said. "It was more hard-working than any team I've ever been on. We had to overcome so much adversity. We have a lot of heart and we've had to rely on that. We're in a situation where we haven't got anybody left to go in the game."

When Tara Hittle — the team's best ballhandler — went out five matches into the season, Hawai'i had to remake itself. The attack slowed and shifted primarily to the left, where Mason and sophomore Jamie Houston would ultimately blossom. The blocking, anchored by middles Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders, would follow.

Setting was never in question with three-time All-American Kanoe Kamana'o, who finished her career seventh on the NCAA assist list. Her ability to chase down errant passes and still create an effective offense, despite playing hurt all season, probably made this her finest season.

That position will be the most compelling question for 2007. Dani Mafua, who red-shirted this year, is the only setter on the roster at this point. Shoji is extremely high on her, but still wants to bring someone else in.

Recruits that have committed — Amanda Simmons and Punahou's Liz Ka'aihue — will help in the middle and back row, respectively. Ka'aihue can back up at setter but is expected to be in the mix at libero, a position filled admirably by freshman Jayme Lee this season. That brings up Shoji's next concern — ball control.

"Just having Hittle back will steady part of that out," he said. "We need one more person to pass again, but the passing from the libero will be pretty solid."

He is also looking for more firepower from the right side and, with Thurlby gone, there is a serious need for a reliable leader and captain.

Thurlby, who backed up Kamana'o for four years and learned to play two other positions just so she could see the court, might have had the most intriguing reaction to Saturday's final match.

"It's been a great five years and I'm so thankful for this opportunity," she said. "Losing to UCLA ... right now I think I'm on top. They just beat us, but who can play in front of a crowd like this in a state like this and have this kind of love? It's bigger than any dream.

"(UCLA setter) Nellie Spicer is a great player. We're both Illinois natives and came from the same (club) program. She is an All-American and maybe she'll get a chance to win a national championship. But I just feel my experience is better."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.