University of Hawai'i outside hitter Jamie Houston practiced with the team yesterday, but her playing status for the upcoming road trip will be a "game-time" decision, according to coach Dave Shoji.

Houston, a sophomore from Huntsville, Ala., was held out of Saturday's sweep of visiting Fresno State for violating team policy.

She was reinstated Monday, when the Rainbow Wahine didn't practice.

"She's just been reinstated to practice," Shoji said before yesterday's practice. "That's all I'm going to say about it."

Houston, the team leader with 5.15 kills per game, had started the Rainbow Wahine's first 10 matches.

When asked if she'd start Friday against Fresno State, Shoji said: "That's not been determined yet. We still have some things to work out. It'll be a game-time kind of situation."

No. 15 Hawai'i (7-4, 0-1) didn't need Houston in a 30-21, 30-15, 30-18 victory over Fresno State in the Rainbow Wahine's Western Athletic Conference opener.

"It was a great thing for us to be able to get the victory on Saturday night without her and we'll be that much stronger with her on our side of the court," said sophomore outside hitter Jessica Keefe.

In a scheduling quirk, Hawai'i plays at Fresno State (2-11, 0-2) on Friday and San Jose State (9-6, 0-2) the following day. It'll be the first road trip this season for Hawai'i.

"We're fresh in their minds and they're fresh in our minds," Shoji said of facing the Bulldogs back-to-back. "I'm not sure what adjustments they'll make, but they'll make some sort of adjustment and attack us a little differently I'm sure because we had our own way with them here."

In the 83-minute victory over Fresno State — Hawai'i's 126th consecutive win over a conference opponent — the Rainbow Wahine hit .352 and had 15 blocks.

"We're playing Fresno State again and we had a pretty good victory over them last weekend," Keefe said. "It'll be a good chance to see what kind of road team we are this season."

Amber Kaufman, a freshman outside hitter from San Jose, Calif., is looking forward to the match against the Spartans.

"I'm just really excited to return home and play in front of the home crowd, and have my friends see me play because most of them haven't," said Kaufman, who added she's missed her three dogs.

San Jose State has lost three in a row, including two WAC matches on the road.

"I know they've got some veteran players," Shoji said. "We expect a tough match. They went five with Santa Clara (on Sept. 12), a final four team last year, so we know they can play."

Hawai'i is 38-0 all-time against Fresno State, and 53-4 against San Jose State. The Rainbow Wahine haven't lost a WAC match since Oct. 10, 1998.

Despite the domination, junior defensive specialist Raeceen Woolford expects the Rainbow Wahine to be up for the matches.

"We can't let down our energy level and (Shoji) keeps us motivated," she said. "It doesn't matter who you play, you should have a high energy level all the time."

Kaufman is eager to spend an extended period of time together with her teammates on the road.

"It's going to give us a lot of time to bond, which is what we need right now," she said.

Added Woolford: "We're pretty excited about it. A lot of new people are traveling who haven't in the past so it's a lot of new dynamics."

Hawai'i will return home for WAC matches against Utah State on Oct. 6, Nevada on Oct. 8 and Boise State on Oct. 9.

Notes: Friday's match against Fresno State will be broadcast live on Sports Radio 1420 AM. Saturday's match with San Jose State will not be aired because of a conflict with UH football.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.