ARBUCKLE, CA (MPG) – Enduring the balmy conditions inside their own Natalie Corona Gymnasium last Thursday night, the Bears bounced back from a first set loss to down county rival Colusa 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 in a Sacramento Valley League match.
At the outset, with Pierce struggling to put the ball away and making a number of service errors, the RedHawks gained the initial advantage.
However, an inspirational pep talk from Coach Lauren Ornbaun prior to the second set seemed to do the trick as the Bears pulled it together to win three in a row in rather convincing fashion.
“I know how good this team can be,” said Ornbaun. “But they have to prove it to themselves and when they realized it, the match changed in our favor.”
A more experienced squad than the RedHawks, Pierce has the luxury of relying on their pair of senior leaders, Leah Charter and Magali Jauregui, who came through when they were needed the most.
Sept. 18.
Adding to an already impressive season, Charter, currently second in the Northern Section in kills with 242, took over the match at key junctures, finishing with a game-high 19 kills, then furthermore made 27 digs.
For her part, Jauregui, who at 475 assists is second in the section, made good choices in distributing the ball ending the night with 40 assists, while additionally leading all players with 28 digs.
Pierce also got important contributions from Rylie Delepierre, whose 13 kills, many of them thunderous, and general disruption of the Colusa attack through the block was a difference maker.
match on Sept. 18.
As for the Bear back row, it performed admirably over the final three sets as well, led by libero Leslye Velasquez’s 25 digs and another 22 from Charlie Wayman, who is returning to form after overcoming an injury.
Two others that were impactful for the Pierce defense were Destany Martinez with 13 digs and Lyla Maldonado, whose eight digs came at critical times.
As for the RedHawks, Peyton Miller posted a double-double with 18 kills and 19 digs, as did Cecelia Mitchum with 10 kills and 22 digs.
Abby Coronado tallied nine kills, 15 digs and four blocks, while Cindel Oliver and Leyla Avera handed out 19 and 16 assists respectively.
Braelyn Santana came on to make 11 digs with Marlie Berry pitching in with 10.
This week, the Bears (16-7, 2-1), the SVL’s third place team, traveled to Paradise on Tuesday before facing off at home in a showdown with East Nicolaus on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Colusa (15-8, 2-1) made its way to Trowbridge to take on East Nicolaus Tuesday, then returned to Don Bransford Gymnasium on Thursday to entertain Durham.