Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
With training camp and the lone exhibition match in the rearview mirror, the University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team is ready for game week.
The Rainbow Wahine open the 2026 season Friday night against Georgia Southern at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, beginning a three-match weekend as part of the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic.
It will also mark the beginning of a new era under first-year head coach Joshua Walker, who takes over the program after years of success under former head coach Robyn Ah Mow.
Walker will have an accomplished addition to his staff this season in associate head coach Heather Olmstead, who officially joined the program Monday.
Olmstead was on hand at Bankoh Arena for the team’s official photo before practice, marking her first day on the job with the Rainbow Wahine.
The former BYU head coach brings 11 seasons of experience leading the Cougars, where she won six West Coast Conference championships and was named WCC Coach of the Year four times and AVCA Pacific South Region Coach of the Year three times.
BYU made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances during Olmstead’s 11 seasons, advancing to the Sweet 16 five times and reaching the Final Four in 2018. The Cougars spent 11 weeks ranked No. 1 during the 2018 season and finished the 2021 campaign ranked No. 4 in the AVCA poll with a 31-2 record.
Olmstead also recently guided the U.S. Under-17 national team to an FIVB world championship.
She will serve on the UH coaching staff through the 2026 season.
“Yeah, it feels amazing,” Olmstead said. “I’m so honored to be here with coach Joshua and the team. … I believe in what he’s doing and with the players he has and those coming in, I think great things can happen with this program.”
Olmstead also has family ties to Hawaii. Her father played volleyball at Church College of Hawaii, while her mother is a Kahuku graduate.
“Volleyball has been a part of my life,” Olmstead said. “My dad played at Church College of Hawaii and met my mom and my mom’s the Kahuku Red Raider. So there’s some family ties there, which is kind of random, but I’ve come to the islands a lot, have such a respect and deep love for Hawaii.”
Walker said Olmstead’s experience should immediately benefit the Rainbow Wahine as they prepare for the season.
“Really excited just because, like, already things that we can make sure that we’re clean with in systems that I know that she’s going to be great with, she’s already had some input on that,” Walker said. “So it’s just going to help us be that much more smooth machine going forward. So everybody, all the athletes are going to benefit from it.”
The Rainbow Wahine will play three matches in three days to open the season.
Hawaii faces Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. Friday, Baylor at 7 p.m. Saturday and San Diego at 5 p.m. Sunday.
All three matches will be played at Bankoh Arena.
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With training camp and the lone exhibition match in the rearview mirror, the University of Hawaii women’s volleyball team is ready for game week.
The Rainbow Wahine open the 2026 season Friday night against Georgia Southern at SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, beginning a three-match weekend as part of the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic.
It will also mark the beginning of a new era under first-year head coach Joshua Walker, who takes over the program after years of success under former head coach Robyn Ah Mow.
Walker will have an accomplished addition to his staff this season in associate head coach Heather Olmstead, who officially joined the program Monday.
Olmstead was on hand at Bankoh Arena for the team’s official photo before practice, marking her first day on the job with the Rainbow Wahine.
The former BYU head coach brings 11 seasons of experience leading the Cougars, where she won six West Coast Conference championships and was named WCC Coach of the Year four times and AVCA Pacific South Region Coach of the Year three times.
BYU made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances during Olmstead’s 11 seasons, advancing to the Sweet 16 five times and reaching the Final Four in 2018. The Cougars spent 11 weeks ranked No. 1 during the 2018 season and finished the 2021 campaign ranked No. 4 in the AVCA poll with a 31-2 record.
Olmstead also recently guided the U.S. Under-17 national team to an FIVB world championship.
She will serve on the UH coaching staff through the 2026 season.
“Yeah, it feels amazing,” Olmstead said. “I’m so honored to be here with coach Joshua and the team. … I believe in what he’s doing and with the players he has and those coming in, I think great things can happen with this program.”
Olmstead also has family ties to Hawaii. Her father played volleyball at Church College of Hawaii, while her mother is a Kahuku graduate.
“Volleyball has been a part of my life,” Olmstead said. “My dad played at Church College of Hawaii and met my mom and my mom’s the Kahuku Red Raider. So there’s some family ties there, which is kind of random, but I’ve come to the islands a lot, have such a respect and deep love for Hawaii.”
Walker said Olmstead’s experience should immediately benefit the Rainbow Wahine as they prepare for the season.
“Really excited just because, like, already things that we can make sure that we’re clean with in systems that I know that she’s going to be great with, she’s already had some input on that,” Walker said. “So it’s just going to help us be that much more smooth machine going forward. So everybody, all the athletes are going to benefit from it.”
The Rainbow Wahine will play three matches in three days to open the season.
Hawaii faces Georgia Southern at 7 p.m. Friday, Baylor at 7 p.m. Saturday and San Diego at 5 p.m. Sunday.
All three matches will be played at Bankoh Arena.
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
Sign up to receive the latest Hawaii news in your inbox: nxslink.khon2.com/join/6sd/signup
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports, and entertainment! Follow KHON2 on our social channels:
youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii
facebook.com/khon2news
twitter.com/KHONnews
instagram.com/khonnews
