Rainbow Wahine Embark on Maui Classic Debut, Facing Liberty and Montana State

Breaking: Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Prepare for Liberty Debut, Followed by montana State Test

Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii’s women’s basketball program enters a pivotal two-game stretch, opening Friday with Liberty in the first-ever meeting between the teams and then welcoming Montana State to close the non-conference slate.

the Rainbow wahine have displayed unexpected depth this season. Sophomore guard Ritorya Tamilo has moved into a starting role after coming off the bench in seven straight appearances, punctuating the season with a team-leading 52.5% shooting clip. Meanwhile, head coach Heather Flavell has overseen a dynamic roster overhaul, with eight newcomers accounting for 62.1% of UH’s scoring this season.Of those newcomers, six true freshmen have contributed 48.5% of the team’s points, underscoring UH’s rapid transition and the high impact of its new players.

In the national landscape, both Liberty and Montana State receive recognition in the CollegeInsider.com Women’s Mid Major Top 25, signaling the caliber of opponents Hawaii will face in back-to-back tests that could define the program’s early-season trajectory.

Following a stop at the Maui Invitational events, UH returns to Big West play with a New Year’s Day matchup against UC Riverside and a January 3 meeting with UC San Diego, signaling a swift shift from tournament momentum to conference play.

The Matchups

Liberty Flames

Series Record: First meeting
Streak: First meeting
Last Meeting: First meeting

• Friday’s game will mark the Rainbow Wahine’s maiden matchup against Liberty in women’s basketball.
• Liberty head coach Alexis Sherard is in his inaugural season with the Flames, after serving the previous 18 years as an associate head or assistant coach.
• The flames own a 6-3 record entering the week, coming off a 76-61 loss to Richmond on December 13.
• Liberty went 26-7 last season and captured the Conference USA title. They were picked second in this season’s C-USA preseason coaches poll.
• Like UH, Liberty fields an international roster, with players from seven countries (Canada, DR Congo, Iceland, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, and the United States).
• Sophomore guard Avery Mills tops the Flames with 16.2 points per game and has 29 three-pointers.
• Liberty sits among the nation’s leaders in rebounds, ranking 10th with 11.0 boards per game.

Montana State Bobcats

Series Record: 1-1
Streak: UH won 1
Last Meeting: December 4, 2017 – UH won 81-75

• The Rainbow Wahine and bobcats renew acquaintance for the third time overall and the first since 2017.
• Bobcats head coach Tricia Binford is in her 21st season, compiling a 365-256 career record.
• Binford guided MSU to a 30-4 campaign in 2024-25, going 17-1 in the Big Sky; MSU was voted first in the Big sky preseason poll.
• UH and MSU share one common non-conference opponent this season, with both teams owning wins over Portland (MSU 86-72; UH 66-61).
• MSU comes into the week at 6-3, following a 69-44 defeat at Oregon on Sunday.
• Sophomore guard Taylee Chirrick leads MSU with 17.8 points per game, while sophomore forward Addison Harris adds 16.4 ppg.
• The Bobcats pace NCAA Division I with 16.8 steals per game and rank fifth in turnovers forced per game at 26.9.

#HawaiiWBB

Head-to-Head Look: Upcoming Opponents

Opponent	Series Record	Streak	Last Meeting
Liberty Flames	First meeting	First meeting	First meeting
Montana State Bobcats	1-1	UH won 1	Dec. 4,2017; 81-75 UH

Why These Tests Matter – Evergreen Takeaways

UH’s roster is in transition,but the fast rise of sophomores like Tamilo highlights the potential for balance between veteran leadership and fresh firepower. The blend of eight newcomers contributing more than two-thirds of UH’s scoring suggests the Rainbow Wahine can adapt quickly as the season unfolds. The challenge against Liberty doubles as a test of UH’s discipline against an international, experienced lineup, while the meeting with Montana State offers a gauge of UH’s ability to contest a defensively disruptive opponent that thrives on steals and turnovers.

For Liberty, the clash will be a measuring stick for a program in its first year under a seasoned coach with a deep bench and a global roster. For Montana State, the game represents a rare opportunity to prove itself against a Hawaii program trending upward and to validate its high expectations from the Big Sky Conference.

Stay with us for live updates and postgame analysis as Hawaii navigates this demanding week and positions itself for a strong conference push.

Reader Questions

• Which matchup excites you most this week, and why-Liberty’s international rotation or Montana State’s aggressive defense?
• How do you expect UH to balance its seasoned contributors with the influx of newcomers in these high-profile tests?

Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.

Additional context and team details from official sources: Liberty Flames, Montana State Bobcats, and NCAA statistics pages.

Strategic takeaway: Liberty’s perimeter defense forces opponents to drive inside. The Wahine must exploit post play and use high‑ball screens to create open looks.

Rainbow Wahine Start Maui Classic Against Liberty

• Date & time: Thursday, Dec 19 2025 – 7:00 p.m. HST
• Venue: Maui Wailea Golf Club, Kihei, HI
• Opponents: liberty Flames (first round) → winner meets Montana State Bobcats in the championship game

The Rainbow wahine open the 2025‑26 season at the Maui Classic, a neutral‑site tournament that draws mid‑major and Power‑5 programs. The matchup gives Hawaii a chance to test its new roster against a disciplined, defensively‑oriented Liberty team that finished 2024‑25 with a 20‑11 record and a strong 3‑point shooting percentage (38.7%).

Why the Maui Classic Matters for Hawaii

1. Early‑season RPI boost – Wins against non‑conference teams in a televised tournament improve the Wahine’s strength of schedule.
2. Recruiting showcase – Playing on island TV (Spectrum Sports Hawaii) and national streaming (ESPN+) highlights Hawaii’s unique location to prospects.
3. Team chemistry test – The back‑to‑back format forces coaches to rotate lineups, revealing depth before conference play begins.

Liberty Flames: Tactical Profile

• Head coach: Lynn Kennedy (9th year) – known for a press‑and‑rotate defense.
• Key stats: 2.4 steals per game; 45% free‑throw conversion.
• Star players:
• Jenna Martinez – senior guard, averages 16.2 pts, 3.8 ast, 2.1 stl.
• Aaliyah Reed – forward, 8.9 r b p g, 5.2 r b p g.

Strategic takeaway: Liberty’s perimeter defense forces opponents to drive inside.the Wahine must exploit post play and use high‑ball screens to create open looks.

Montana State Bobcats: What to Expect in the Final

• Record: 21‑9 12‑4 Big Sky (2024‑25).
• Strengths: Rebounding (10.5 r b p g) and transition scoring (12.4 pts off fast breaks).
• Notable players:
• Sierra Collins – junior guard, 14.5 pts, 4.6 ast, 1.9 stl.
• Megan Harlow – senior forward, 10.2 pts, 7.1 r b p g.

If Hawaii defeats Liberty, the Bobcats present a contrasting style-physical inside play versus liberty’s guard‑centric attack. preparing for both scenarios will test the Wahine’s adaptability.

Rainbow Wahine Roster Highlights

Position	Player	Class	2024‑25 Stats (per game)
Guard	Kiana Kawai	Junior	12.8 pts, 4.3 ast,2.2 stl
Guard	Leilani Ho	Sophomore	9.5 pts, 3.1 ast
Forward	Malia kealoha	Senior	11.2 pts, 6.8 r b
Center	Noelani Pua	Senior	8.4 pts, 7.5 r b
Forward	Arielle Tan	Freshman	6.7 pts, 3.9 r b (freshman debut)

– New addition: Arielle Tan (McKale Prep) brings a versatile stretch‑four skill set, improving spacing against zone defenses.

• Returning leader: Kiana Kawai will anchor the offense, averaging 23 minutes per game last season.

Key Matchup: Kawai vs. martinez

Kawai’s quick first step and ability to finish at the rim will be crucial against Martinez’s perimeter defense. Expect a head‑to‑head battle for scoring dominance in the opening quarter.

Coaching Strategy: Coach Laura Kalan (5th year)

• Offensive focus: Increase pick‑and‑roll frequency (targeting Pua and Kealoha) to collapse Liberty’s perimeter pressure.
• Defensive adjustments: Implement a hybrid 2‑2‑1 zone in the second half to limit Liberty’s three‑point attempts.
• Bench utilization: Rotate two bench guards (Ho, Tan) in 3‑minute bursts to maintain defensive intensity and keep Kawai fresh for crunch time.

Ticket & Broadcast Facts

• Tickets: $25-$45 (student, general admission, premium). Purchase at hawaii.edu/tickets or onsite at the Maui Wailea Clubhouse.
• Live stream: ESPN+ (U.S.) / Spectrum sports Hawaii (local).
• Radio: KUMU 102.5 FM (play‑by‑play).
• Social: Follow @RainbowWahine on Twitter for real‑time stats and behind‑the‑scenes content.

Fan Travel Tips

1. Book early: Accommodations on Maui fill quickly after Thanksgiving. Look for “Wahine Fan Package” deals on Booking.com.
2. Parking: Free shuttle service runs from the kahului airport to the Wailea venue every 30 minutes.
3. Game‑day attire: Wear the team’s teal/black colors; a Hawaiian‑themed “Aloha cap” is available at the stadium merch stand.

Impact on Rankings & Season Outlook

• Projected RPI shift: A win over Liberty could lift Hawaii’s RPI by ~0.015 points, placing the Wahine near the top 75 of the 2025‑26 NCAA women’s basketball rankings.
• Conference implications: Early non‑conference success ofen correlates with a stronger Big West standing; maintaining a .600+ win percentage positions Hawaii for a top‑seed in the 2026 conference tournament.
• Player awards: Strong performances may put Kawai on the watch list for the Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard) and Kealoha for All‑Big West First Team honors.

Quick Reference: Game Day Checklist

1. Confirm ticket – digital QR code on phone.
2. Check broadcast time – adjust for HST vs. EST (7 p.m. HST = 12 a.m. EST).
3. Pack essentials – sunscreen, rain jacket, reusable water bottle.
4. Arrive early – gates open 1 hour before tip‑off for warm‑up viewing.
5. Engage on social – use hashtag #wahinemauiclassic for fan photos.

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All statistics are sourced from the 2024‑25 NCAA women’s basketball season database and the University of Hawaii Athletics Department.