Carolyn O'Dwyer on Winning with the Pandas and Coaching on Canada’s National Team

Carolyn O'Dwyer shares her incredible volleyball journey—from discovering the sport in Calgary to playing at Mount Royal University, becoming head coach of the University of Alberta Pandas, winning a championship, and joining Volleyball Canada's senior women's national team staff.

In this in-depth conversation, Carolyn discusses her development as an athlete, the importance of club volleyball, the transition from player to coach, and the lessons she learned working under legendary Alberta coach Laurie Eisler. She also shares what it was like to receive the call to join Giovanni Guidetti’s coaching staff and what she has learned from one of the most respected coaches in international volleyball.

We also dive into:

Winning a championship with the Alberta Pandas

Coaching in Volleyball Canada’s Next Gen program

The experience of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League

How Canada is progressing on the world stage

Differences between U SPORTS and NCAA volleyball

Recruiting and retaining top Canadian athletes

What Carolyn looks for in recruits beyond volleyball skills

Mental toughness, resetting, and reading body language

Which volleyball position is the toughest to play

Fun off-court topics, including pineapple pizza and who should be interviewed next

Whether you're a player, coach, recruiter, or volleyball fan, Carolyn offers tremendous insight into athlete development, leadership, and what it takes to build a championship culture.

@TheVolleyballCanada @ualberta @volleyballworld @BearsandPandas
@usportsca
0:00
1:20 CO background and discovering volleyball
1:55 The volleyball hook
3:25 Playing other sports
5:10 Playing solo sports - mental toughness
6:15 Club ball to University
7:40 Importance club
8:20 What CO like clubs to focus on with their athletes ** 9:50
11:10 Canada club rules vs US ***
12:55 All round player development * Abby
14:50 Why Mount Royal after high school
16:15 Jump from club to U sport
17:45 Usport season length
18:30 Highlight at Mount Royal *
19:50 1st year coaching being so close in age to other players **
21:20 Why coach at U of A **
22:40 Masters of Coaching *
24:20 working with a legend like Laurie and what CO learned **
26:40 Moving a chair up - culture **
28:40 Panda's championship team and what they learned from last year **
30:50 Any turning point knowing that they would win it all **
32:30 Abby and Justine questions **
34:43 Working at the Next Gen Program **
37:00 Adjustment of coaching from U sport to international level *
38:40 Role evolved from Next Gen to the Senior Team **
40:00 Getting the call to being a part of Gio's team **
40:40 The VNL experience **
42:10 The progression of Canada on the global stage *
43:10 What as stood out the most working with Gio **
44:45 Gio **
46:40 Carolyn's Role w Senior team *
48:10 What CO has picked up from coaching w Gio **
50:15 Lessons to bring back to coaching the Panda's **
52:10 Recruiting and keeping Canadians at Usport **
54:12 Come be a Panda
56:00 Where does CO find her players to come play for U of A**
58:00 Watching the player body language more than the skill **
1:00:00 Resetting **
1:01:35 Toughest position in volleyball **
1:02:55 Easiest position **
1:03:50 Away from volleyball **
1:04:50 no pineapple pizza for gio **
1:05:45 Who is next ** Natasha - Guelph