Stephanie Ferrell, from Los Angeles, and 2003 Advertiser State Player of the Year Aneli Cubi-Otineru signed letters of intent this week, officially committing to University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine volleyball for the 2007 season.

Both players had verbally committed earlier but could not sign until this week, when the regular signing period starts.

Punahou senior Liz Ka'aihue and Amanda Simmons, a high school senior from Illinois, committed during November's early signing period. Simmons, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker, has since been named to Volleyball Magazine's Fab 50 recruit list.

The signings allow UH coach Dave Shoji to officially comment on the players. He characterizes Ferrell as a player who could make an impact as a freshman hitter in the fall and Ka'aihue as having a "great all-around game."

Shoji's only question about Ferrell is how much she has progressed after a late start in the game. He likes her back-row, jumping and hitting abilities a lot, but might like her personality more.

"She's got a good attitude, works hard, has a good demeanor on the floor," Shoji said. "She's a really likeable person. She comes out of not the best situation, but seems to have overcome a lot."

After verbally committing to UH as a junior, Cubi-Otineru missed much of her senior year at Punahou because she was academically ineligible. She helped Southern Idaho win its eighth NJCAA title in 2005 and red-shirted last year, giving her three more years to play. She needs to get her associate degree this semester to be eligible at UH.

"She's what we consider a ball-control outside hitter," Shoji said. "I know she can pass, play defense and has really solid skills. She can play all the way around, she just has to prove herself as a hitter and blocker. She's played the game a long time and really understands it."

Stephanie Brandt earlier said she is heading to Hawai'i, after getting her release from UC Santa Barbara. She was the Gauchos' starting setter last year as a freshman. She and Dani Mafua, a red-shirt freshman, will take over for Kanoe Kamana'o in the fall.

The Rainbow Wahine finished 29-6 last season, falling in the NCAA Regional final and ending up No. 9 in the rankings. They open practice in early August and open the season Aug. 24 in the Asics Wahine Invitational, against Michigan.

The highlight of their schedule is a single-match road trip to play defending NCAA champion Nebraska on Oct. 21.

"It will be a good gauge as to where we are mid-year," Shoji said. "Obviously they are very, very good. They will be the preseason No. 1 and could very well be No. 1 when we play them."

The WAC Tournament is expected to go to Las Cruces, N.M., with the final vote coming next month. The league championship has been moved up to the week before Thanksgiving.

UH associate athletic director Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano said Hawai'i will bid to have the 2008 WAC Tournament.

Jessica Keefe, who had knee surgery last fall, is now training with the Rainbow Wahine during their offseason workouts, along with Juliana Sanders, who has been out with chronically bad shins. Tara Hittle (ankle) and Nickie Thomas (knee), who, like Keefe, missed most of last season because of injury, have not yet been cleared. All four players were starters.

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com.