Aug. 6, 2003

LOGAN, Utah - Heather Olmstead, a former four-year starter for the Utah State women's volleyball team from 1998-2001, has been hired as an assistant coach at USU it was announced on Wednesday by Aggie head coach Burt Fuller. Olmstead replaces Amy Crosbie who is now the academic coordinator at Utah State.

While at Utah State, Olmstead finished her career second all-time in digs (981), sixth in games played (412) and eighth in matches played (116). She also set the single-season record for digs during her senior year with 340.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to coach at my alma mater," said Olmstead. "Knowing the program and the coaching staff as well as I do makes this an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Olmstead became the first defensive specialist in the history of the Big West Conference to be named first-team all-league in 2001 as she guided Utah State to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a final ranking of 21st in the country. She was also named an academic all-Big West selection three times during her career.

"It is great to have Heather back in our program," said Fuller. "She is a great role model and coach for our team and knows the university and our system well. She was an overachiever on the floor and in the classroom as a student-athlete and we are very lucky to have her on our staff."

Olmstead graduated from Utah State University in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in family and consumer science.