Nearly 20 years ago, the band Bon Jovi released the song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” but despite the passage of time, those lyrics ring true today at Pierce High School, as alumna Lauren Ornbaun returns to take over the volleyball program after Coach Lisa Burnum stepped down.
Ornbaun played for the Bears from 2014-2018 before heading to Feather River College, where she was part of the Golden Eagles’ 2019 state champion team, and then finishing her athletic career at Fresno Pacific University.
However, it was only as her playing days were coming to an end that Ornbaun thought about giving coaching a try.
“While I was a player, coaching never caught my attention, but as my collegiate career was wrapping up, I saw it as a way to stay connected to the sport that I knew I’d miss,” Ornbaun explained. “My interest was sparked more after seeing my former teammates enjoying coaching, as well as watching Kim Travis run the club in Arbuckle.”
As a result, Ornbaun joined forces with her sister, Alison Crandall, and got her feet wet with the Arbuckle Volleyball Club’s 18s group and decided that she liked having the opportunity to coach girls who wanted to get better.
Then, when the opportunity to lead the varsity team presented itself, she decided she was ready, continuing a tradition at Pierce of former athletes returning to coach Bear teams.
For Athletic Director Michael Barber, it came as no surprise that Ornbaun stepped in to accept the challenge.
“One of our mottos is Pierce Pride,” said Barber, also a Pierce grad. “In my opinion, once you go through the system as an athlete, it’s always part of you. That pride drives alumni to come back and support the community. Lauren, as one of those individuals, fits the position perfectly.”
Taking over the squad on which she once played isn’t without pressure, but Ornbaun feels that being familiar with some of the players has elevated her confidence level.
“There is a little pressure, but I think it comes from myself,” said the former Bear setter. “I have the time and I love the sport. I also got to work with some of the girls already at camps and through club.”
Thus, as her first season approaches, Ornbaun says she is keeping her goals straightforward.
“My goals for the team are to maximize each player’s talent and realize what they can do as a group,” said Ornbaun. “As for myself, the goal is to settle in. I took the job for the opportunity to help players grow, as I was able to. I want to help them reach their potential and use it to their advantage, whether it be on the court, furthering their education, or making connections with people.”
Pierce and its newly-minted head coach will open its season in August. ■
