Former BYU women’s volleyball head coach Heather Olmstead is joining the Rainbow Wahine volleyball staff as associate head coach, the University of Hawai‘i announced Monday.
Olmstead led Brigham Young for 11 seasons and was named the 2018 AVCA National Coach of the Year. She stepped down from BYU in 2025, citing a desire to pursue new professional avenues. She will serve as associate head coach at UH through the upcoming season.
Rainbow Wahine volleyball adds veteran leader
Olmstead is currently head coach of the USA Volleyball U17 National Team and will arrive in Hawai‘i after the FIVB Girls U17 World Championships, scheduled for Aug. 6-16 in Santiago, Chile.
“I am beyond excited and extremely grateful for Heather choosing to help get things established this fall,” UH women’s volleyball head coach Joshua Walker said in a university release. He added that Olmstead is a consummate professional whose care for athletes is invaluable and that her presence will support UH’s goal of providing an elite experience.
During her tenure at BYU from 2015 to 2025, Olmstead compiled a .835 winning percentage, going 279-55. She became the fastest coach to reach 200 career wins, doing so in 225 matches. The mark eclipsed the previous standard set by former UH coach Dave Shoji, who reached 200 in 236 matches.
Olmstead is a four-time West Coast Conference Coach of the Year and a three-time AVCA South Region Coach of the Year. Her teams reached the NCAA Tournament in 10 of 11 seasons and advanced to the Sweet 16 five times.
“It’s a privilege to join a program with such a rich tradition and passionate community,” Olmstead said in the release. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to support Coach Joshua this season, serve our student-athletes, and help build on the legacy that has made Hawai‘i volleyball so special.”
Olmstead joins assistant coach Kolby Kanetake on the first UH staff assembled by Walker, who was hired last month. Hawai‘i opens the 2026 season with an exhibition at UH Hilo on the Big Island on Aug. 15.
The regular-season home opener is set for Aug. 28 against Georgia Southern in the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. The exhibition at UH Hilo was previously announced in Rainbow Wahine exhibition set at UH Hilo on Aug. 15, and Olmstead’s hiring further builds momentum for the program following USA Volleyball duties this summer.
