Volleyball BC is excited to announce the induction of Marisa Field, John Kendal, Dave Olynyk, and Brenda Chinn to the Volleyball BC Hall of Fame Class of 2026!
We hope you will join us in celebrating the induction of our exceptional 2026 class at our upcoming Hall of Fame and Excellence Awards Gala, taking place November 21st at the Executive Hotel Vancouver Airport.
About Marisa Field – Athlete:
Marisa Field is recognized as one of the most dominant middle blockers in Canadian volleyball history.
After starring for Kelowna Secondary School and UBC Okanagan, she transferred to the UBC Thunderbirds, where she helped lead the program to back-to-back CIS National Championships in 2008 and 2009 and earned the 2009 May Brown Trophy as UBC’s Outstanding Graduating Female Athlete.
Internationally, Field represented the Senior National Team for 11 consecutive years (2007–2018), earning “Best Blocker” honors at the 2009 and 2011 NORCECA Championships and competing in two FIVB World Championships and three World Grand Prix cycles.
Over an 11-season professional career, she played in seven countries while regularly returning to B.C. to mentor young athletes and run youth training clinics.
About Dave Olynyk – Coach:
David Olynyk spent over two decades as one of British Columbia’s most successful high school and club volleyball coaches.
Beginning his coaching journey in 1978 at Mount Sentinel Secondary School, a small rural school in South Slocan, he built a dominant men’s program that captured four BCSSBVA provincial titles (1983, 1987, 1991, and 1993).
Operating under the Kootenay Volleyball Club banner, his teams composed almost entirely of Mount Sentinel players won multiple provincial titles and back-to-back Western Canada Midget Championships in 1986 and 1992.
Olynyk also served as an assistant coach with Team BC, contributed to regional development camps, and served on the executive of the BCSSBVA for 20 years. His commitment to technical fundamentals, player development, and mentorship launched dozens of athletes into post-secondary ranks and inspired a generation of former players to pursue successful coaching careers.
About John Kendal – Builder:
John Kendal’s commitment to sport began early, overcoming a polio diagnosis in Grade 7 to become Okanagan College’s Athlete of the Year in 1978.
His primary contribution to British Columbia volleyball is his nearly 30-year leadership of the East Kootenay Volleyball Club (EKVC), an organization he founded and developed into a recognized regional program.
As a coach, referee, and administrator, John mentored young athletes across the region in teamwork and athletic skill. He continues to support local matches, officiate high school tournaments, and contribute to the sport at the College of the Rockies.
About Brenda Chinn – Builder:
Brenda Chinn’s contributions to British Columbia’s volleyball community span five decades of organizational leadership and grassroots service.
Her involvement began in high school as team manager at Eric Hamber Secondary, later serving as manager for the UBC Varsity Women’s Volleyball team from 1981 to 1986.
Armed with a Master’s degree in Sports Administration, she went on to serve as Treasurer, Board Member, and Administrator for Thunder Volleyball Club from 2002 to 2026, while also joining the Bid and Host Committee for the Pacific Volleyball Society’s Women’s National Volleyball Team Training Centre in 2009.