ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – For the past three seasons, the Bears’ lineup has remained relatively stable, but as is bound to happen at some point, the team said goodbye to six graduating seniors last spring and as a result a new group of players steps onto the court in 2026 taking their place in Pierce’s volleyball tradition.
Despite all the new faces, Coach Lauren Ornbaun, now in the fourth year of her tenure, says there is “a lot to work with,” and her squad has a considerable strength, starting in the middle with junior Rylie Delepierre.
One of the top all-round athletes in the county, Delepierre, who has a thunderous swing, returns after notching 298 kills and serving 72 aces in addition to ending last year with 96 blocks which was good for eighth in the section. At the very least, Pierce needs a repeat performance from Delepierre if it is going to compete with Sacramento Valley League rivals Colusa and East Nicolaus.
However, a strong attack requires a good first pass and to anchor the back row, the Bears will count on senior Leslye Velasquez, who a season ago made 410 digs in her role as the Bears’ libero. Now with a year of experience under her belt, Ornbaun says that she has progressed in her role on the team saying, “Leslye leads the defense and serve/receive and will be a captain along with Rylie. She’s gained a lot of confidence, improved her volleyball IQ and I know she will chase down a ball at any cost.”
Pierce will also turn to senior Whitney Traynham for not only play at the opposite position, but for leadership on the young squad as well. Ornbaun is particularly pleased with her communication on the court and her understanding of the expectations for the team. In limited action last year Traynham logged 49 kills and 22 aces.
Another returning senior who saw court time in 2025 is defensive specialist Lyla Maldonado who had 82 digs to her credit, while fellow senior Kendall Mulqueeney makes her varsity debut this season where she is penciled in at opposite.
A group of juniors will also be called upon to make important contributions and includes setter Sophia Barajas, outside hitter Charlotte Reyna, middle Nayeli Lievanos, opposite Addyson Jansen and defensive specialist Ava Ruiz.
Two sophomores in Audrey Weber and Lillian Neal were elevated to the varsity squad with Weber slated to be one of the setters in the Bears’ 6-2 system, while Neal will work from the pin.
Although most of the squad has played club volleyball, it will be trial by fire for the Bears as they take on some formidable challengers from the Sac-Joaquin Section in the preseason before starting SVL play in mid-Sept.
Without question Pierce will face an adjustment period as they work to develop chemistry and learn their roles, but how quickly they can become a cohesive unit on the court will be critical in determining their fate.
As a result, and also because of their youthful roster, the Bears remain a dark horse and are perhaps a year away from returning to their 2024 form that saw the team finish as the section runner up.
That being said, they are not to be counted out as the season progresses and Ornbaun, who has a .683 winning percentage since taking the reins, fine tunes her lineup.
Pierce, which ended 2025 third in the SVL and with an overall record of 24-10, opened non-conference play on Aug. 14 in Quincy, then follows up at home against Gridley on Aug. 18.