The University of Hawai'i women's volleyball team has appointed Heather Olmstead as the associate head coach for the 2026 season. Formerly the head coach at Brigham Young University, Olmstead boasts an impressive record, including a .835 winning percentage over 11 seasons. She arrives after leading the USA Volleyball U17 team and is looking forward to enhancing the program's rich tradition and supporting head coach Joshua Walker in providing elite experiences for the student-athletes.

By the Numbers
  • Olmstead led BYU to a 279-55 record, ranking fourth among active Division I coaches.
  • She achieved her 200th win in just 225 games, the fastest in Division I history.
  • Under her tenure, BYU made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including five Sweet 16 showings and one Final Four in 2018.
State of Play
  • Olmstead joins head coach Joshua Walker and assistant Kolby Kanetake at UH as they transition into the Mountain West Conference.
  • The Rainbow Wahine have exhibition games scheduled against Hawai'i Hilo on Aug. 15 and Chaminade on Aug. 17 before starting their official season on Aug. 28.
What's Next

Olmstead's immediate focus will be on integrating into the UH program, establishing connections with the athletes, and preparing for the upcoming exhibition games and official season opener.

Bottom Line

The addition of Heather Olmstead promises to elevate the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball program, combining her successful track record with a commitment to student-athlete development as they embark on a new chapter in the Mountain West Conference.