HONOLULU – After nine years leading the University of Hawai'i women's volleyball program,
Robyn Ah Mow has announced her decision to step down from her position as Rainbow Wahine head coach.
"This wasn't an easy call to make. I've done a lot of soul searching, and right now the time has come to focus on my family. They've sacrificed so much to allow me to live out my dream of leading this program, and it's time I put them first," Ah Mow said.
"I gave this team everything I had. My goal was always to push these players to be the best they could be, but more importantly, to make sure they leave here as strong, successful women. Wearing the 'H' was a privilege when I played, and coaching this program has been a true honor."
Associate Head Coach
Kaleo Baxter will serve as interim head coach. A national search for a permanent head coach for the women's volleyball program will begin immediately.
Ah Mow concludes her coaching tenure with a 165-72 (.696) overall record and a 114-28 (.803) mark in the Big West. Succeeding legendary coach Dave Shoji in 2017, Ah Mow's teams won three consecutive Big West regular-season championships (2019, 2021, 2022) followed by back-to-back Big West Championship titles (2023, 2024). Ah Mow led the 'Bows to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the NCAA Regional Semifinals in 2019. She was named Big West Coach of the Year three times (2019, 2021 and 2022) and earned AVCA Pacific North Region Coach of the Year honors in 2019.
"
Robyn Ah Mow is the epitome of what it means to be a Rainbow Wahine," UH Athletics Director
Matt Elliott said. "She is a fierce competitor, a dedicated mentor, and an undeniable legend in the state of Hawai'i and the global volleyball community. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and passion she poured into this program over the last nine years as the leader of Wahine Volleyball, and more than 30 years since she first stepped on campus. We will all miss her dearly as our head coach, and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter."
Before her coaching career, Ah Mow established a place among the program's most distinguished players as a setter for the Rainbow Wahine from 1993 to '96. Ah Mow was a two-time AVCA First-Team All-American (1995, '96) and a three-time first-team all-conference selection. She helped lead UH to the 1996 NCAA Tournament title game and the 'Bows posted a 66-4 record over her final two seasons. She ranks fourth in program history with 4,313 career assists and was inducted into the University of Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor in 2005. She returned to Manoa as a manager/assistant coach with the UH men's volleyball program in 2010 then served on the Rainbow Wahine coaching staff as an assistant coach under Shoji from 2011 to '15.
Following college, Ah Mow was a member on the U.S. Women's National Team for a decade and played in three Olympic Games (2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2008 Beijing). In 2008, Ah Mow served as the team captain, and helped lead the U.S. to a Silver Medal. She was inducted into the USA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2024.
"Robyn's impact extends far beyond the volleyball court; she has been a tremendous ambassador for the University of Hawai'i and our entire state," added UH President Wendy Hensel. "Her legacy of excellence, resilience, and pride in Hawai'i will continue to inspire generations of students and athletes. We deeply appreciate her years of service to her alma mater and wish her and her family well."
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