For two weeks, roughly 14 practices, everything has been calm, quiet and pleasant.

It’s fun to come to work, UH-Hilo women’s basketball coach David Kaneshiro said, of the tweaking, mixing and matching involved with fusing a roster of five returning players and eight newcomers.

That said, Kaneshiro looks forward to stirring the pot and throwing his charges into the deep end of the pool.

The Vulcans’ annual exhibition game at UH-Manoa – on tap for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Honolulu’s Stan Sheriff Center – certainly isn’t sink or swim, but more of a dry run to see how his players respond to the adversity of facing the size and athleticism the Division I Rainbow Wahine offer.

“I think the game is great for many different reasons, and I can’t think of a negative,” Kaneshiro said.

In six tries, the Vulcans came closest to beating Hawaii during a 60-51 loss in their first try in 2011, and matters got out of hand two years ago as the Wahine won 86-39. Of course, winning isn’t the primary goal.

“I always tell coach (Laura Beeman) that I’m really grateful for the opportunity she has given us,” Kaneshiro said. “We certainly learn a lot every single year.”

Those lessons were particularly tough two seasons ago in the 47-point loss, but that game is only notable now because UHH returns two players, guard Kim Schmelz and forward Patience Taylor, who participated in the contest. Often times the Vuls cycle two-year transfers in and out, but the the juniors give the program a rare dose of continuity as third-year contributors.

“They’ve done a good job helping the newcomers,” Kaneshiro said. “They are both quiet, but in their own way, they’ve done a nice job of talking to the newcomers about the corrections that need to be made.

Entering his eighth year at the helm of a program that has recorded four consecutive losing seasons – including 8-15 last season – Kaneshiro includes senior guard Amber Vaughn, a Hilo High graduate, in the leadership council as well.

Of the newcomers, getting senior Safia Sheikh, formerly of BYU-Hawaii, to transfer to Hilo was a coup for the Vuls.

Averaging 15.1 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and three assists and with seven games of 20 points to her credit, the 5-foot-10 Sheikh made third-team all-Pacific West Conference last season.

Schmelz made honorable mention after leading the way with 14.6 points per game on the strength of 44.4 percent 3-point shooting, so the potential for a prolific scoring tandem is there.

“They both are obviously pretty good shooters and they both have a good feel for the game,” Kaneshiro said. “I don’t think they need to be high-volume shooters to be effective.

“There is no doubt they can play together. They would rather win than score 30.”

Junior guard Danielle Dacosta, 5-9 and from Sierra College, gives UHH more versatility on the wing and could provide a much-needed defensive presence.

The candidates at point guard are Vaughn, freshman Sara Shimizu, and Alyssa Movchan, a transfer from Cypress College (Calif.). Listed at 5-2, Movchan and Shimizu are the tallest of the bunch.

“They’ve all done a good job,” Kaneshiro said. “Sara and Alyssa have been as quick as any of the new players to pick up on things.”

The 6-0 Taylor has played in 37 games in her career and averaged 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, while senior Asia Smith ranked fifth in the PacWest in rebounding (8.9) last season, averaging 7.5 points.

The other returnee is 5-11 senior Jamaika Lorenzo, a Honokaa High graduate.

While Kaneshiro admits UH-Hilo will hardly be confused with a tall team, freshman Allie Navarette offers some height at 6-0.

Kaneshiro figures to roll with different starting lineups in each half Wednesday, and senior walk-on guard Kailani Jones, freshman guard Alliya Gabriel and freshman forward Malia Lee could see playing time as well.

“Overall, the team quickness is better than it’s been in other years,” Kaneshiro said. “We’re further along but the question is can we put it all together.”

A strong test from Hawaii – which returns first-team all-Big West guard Sarah Toeaina – could help reveal some of the answers.

For two weeks, roughly 14 practices, everything has been calm, quiet and pleasant.

It’s fun to come to work, UH-Hilo women’s basketball coach David Kaneshiro said, of the tweaking, mixing and matching involved with fusing a roster of five returning players and eight newcomers.

That said, Kaneshiro looks forward to stirring the pot and throwing his charges into the deep end of the pool.

The Vulcans’ annual exhibition game at UH-Manoa – on tap for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Honolulu’s Stan Sheriff Center – certainly isn’t sink or swim, but more of a dry run to see how his players respond to the adversity of facing the size and athleticism the Division I Rainbow Wahine offer.

“I think the game is great for many different reasons, and I can’t think of a negative,” Kaneshiro said.

In six tries, the Vulcans came closest to beating Hawaii during a 60-51 loss in their first try in 2011, and matters got out of hand two years ago as the Wahine won 86-39. Of course, winning isn’t the primary goal.

“I always tell coach (Laura Beeman) that I’m really grateful for the opportunity she has given us,” Kaneshiro said. “We certainly learn a lot every single year.”

Those lessons were particularly tough two seasons ago in the 47-point loss, but that game is only notable now because UHH returns two players, guard Kim Schmelz and forward Patience Taylor, who participated in the contest. Often times the Vuls cycle two-year transfers in and out, but the the juniors give the program a rare dose of continuity as third-year contributors.

“They’ve done a good job helping the newcomers,” Kaneshiro said. “They are both quiet, but in their own way, they’ve done a nice job of talking to the newcomers about the corrections that need to be made.

Entering his eighth year at the helm of a program that has recorded four consecutive losing seasons – including 8-15 last season – Kaneshiro includes senior guard Amber Vaughn, a Hilo High graduate, in the leadership council as well.

Of the newcomers, getting senior Safia Sheikh, formerly of BYU-Hawaii, to transfer to Hilo was a coup for the Vuls.

Averaging 15.1 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and three assists and with seven games of 20 points to her credit, the 5-foot-10 Sheikh made third-team all-Pacific West Conference last season.

Schmelz made honorable mention after leading the way with 14.6 points per game on the strength of 44.4 percent 3-point shooting, so the potential for a prolific scoring tandem is there.

“They both are obviously pretty good shooters and they both have a good feel for the game,” Kaneshiro said. “I don’t think they need to be high-volume shooters to be effective.

“There is no doubt they can play together. They would rather win than score 30.”

Junior guard Danielle Dacosta, 5-9 and from Sierra College, gives UHH more versatility on the wing and could provide a much-needed defensive presence.

The candidates at point guard are Vaughn, freshman Sara Shimizu, and Alyssa Movchan, a transfer from Cypress College (Calif.). Listed at 5-2, Movchan and Shimizu are the tallest of the bunch.

“They’ve all done a good job,” Kaneshiro said. “Sara and Alyssa have been as quick as any of the new players to pick up on things.”

The 6-0 Taylor has played in 37 games in her career and averaged 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds, while senior Asia Smith ranked fifth in the PacWest in rebounding (8.9) last season, averaging 7.5 points.

The other returnee is 5-11 senior Jamaika Lorenzo, a Honokaa High graduate.

While Kaneshiro admits UH-Hilo will hardly be confused with a tall team, freshman Allie Navarette offers some height at 6-0.

Kaneshiro figures to roll with different starting lineups in each half Wednesday, and senior walk-on guard Kailani Jones, freshman guard Alliya Gabriel and freshman forward Malia Lee could see playing time as well.

“Overall, the team quickness is better than it’s been in other years,” Kaneshiro said. “We’re further along but the question is can we put it all together.”

A strong test from Hawaii – which returns first-team all-Big West guard Sarah Toeaina – could help reveal some of the answers.