Back to work for Wahine hoops

After a weekend off the court and out of their comfort zone, the Rainbow Wahine got back to work on Monday at the Stan Sheriff Center to start their second week of practice.

UH coach Laura Beeman said the team had to knock off some rust in the return from its annual retreat while moving ahead in its preparation for the season.

“Coming back a little mentally fried from a fun weekend, we knew (Monday) was going to be a little bit of a tough practice,” Beeman said. “They did OK. A little bit of frustration set in, but we’re young, we’re teaching them new things and it’s hard.”

The retreat included some beach time and a session with improv instructors who “taught our girls to think on their feet and get out of their comfort zone,” Beeman said.

Saturday’s itinerary was highlighted by a trip to the high ropes course at Camp Erdman with the players and coaches having to traverse the course some 50 feet off the ground.

“It was physically challenging, emotionally challenging. We had girls who had a fear of heights and had to overcome that,” Beeman said. “A lot of great teamwork where people were pushing each other through and helping each other overcome.”

Beeman saw the benefits of the weekend by the time the team returned to campus on Sunday.

“I think the chemistry is better. I think they’ve learned some trust. I think they saw themselves do something different than they thought they ever could and gained some confidence,” Beeman said. “And I thought they saw teammates do things they weren’t expecting to do and just grew as a group.”

That said, the work to build chemistry on the court continues to progress heading toward the Nov. 11 opener at USC.

“There’s brand new things and they have to pick things up quicker at times and they have to be able to repeat and continue to grow with things they know,” Beeman said. “It’s taking something new and being able to absorb it, taking something old and being able able to retain it and grow on it and not taking steps backward.”

The Rainbow Wahine make their public debut Oct. 21 in their Green and White scrimmage at the Stan Sheriff Center and face UH Hilo in an exhibition game on Oct. 26.

Assistant coach Calamity McEntire posted a few images from the retreat on Twitter.

Soooo many fun photos from this weekend! Here's a few from yesterday! Our team did a great job on the high ropes course! #TeamRetreat WE>I pic.twitter.com/u7k9ABtWOZ

— Calamity McEntire (@coachmcentire) October 9, 2016

Here's a few more!!! #FunTimes #TeamRetreat #OnlyInHawaii #YouShouldBeHere WE>I pic.twitter.com/zT2M9txKPp

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— Calamity McEntire (@coachmcentire) October 9, 2016