Friday, April 24
Abilene
2 p.m.
Abilene Christian
vs
California Baptist
Photo by: Kaylee Kahn
Ornelas, ACU Prep for Senior Weekend Series vs. CBU
4/23/2026 2:02:00 PM | Softball
Valerie Ornelas never expected to have a third Senior Day. The ACU softball catcher has already walked twice—once at UT Arlington, once in Abilene—and thought her days in a uniform were behind her. But as the Wildcats head into their final home series of the season against California Baptist, Ornelas is back behind the plate, grateful for every inning.
"I don't think at certain points in my career I ever thought I'd make it to one senior day, let alone three," Ornelas said. "To be here, in a place that truly allows me to be myself and live through my faith—it's really a blessing."
From Staff to Suiting Up Again
Ornelas had already moved on to the next chapter last fall. She worked as a graduate assistant and director of operations for the ACU women's soccer team, learning the rhythms of coaching and logistics while the Wildcats made a run to the conference tournament.
"I loved it," she said. "I love [head soccer coach Stephen] Salas, I love the girls, and I learned a lot from them. That was such a good experience."
Then head softball coach Jo Koons gave her a call.
"She was like, 'Hey, you still have that sixth year,' and I was like, 'Why?'" Ornelas said. "She's like, 'Well, I want to use it.' I genuinely thought she was joking. But I told her, whatever you want me to be, I'll be. That's how it came about."
"I just knew she would bring a leadership piece to us," said Koons. "Similar to [fellow senior] Elizabeth [Schaefer], she is a connector of people. She's also seen both sides of it now which is a very unique perspective, being able to be on the coaching side and get to come back and still be an athlete."
Her medical waiver—granted for a season lost at Cal State Fullerton—gave her one more chance.
The soccer players she worked with last fall have shown up in the stands this spring, cheering loudly between their own matches.
"They're fun," said Ornelas with a laugh.
Perspective from the Other Side
Stepping into a staff role gave Ornelas a new understanding of competition.
"Being on the other side and seeing soccer's frustrations and the ups and downs—they experience the same things we do," she said. "It's so simple. We make it so much bigger than what it is. At the end of the day, it's just a game."
That perspective has helped her steady the Wildcats through a season of close losses and tough breaks. ACU still has a path to the WAC Tournament, and one win this weekend could make all the difference.
"I knew she would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience," said Koons. "It's been a blessing to have her back and have her lead some of our younger student-athletes. She encourages them but also holds them to a standard."
"Coach Koons has done a great job reminding us it takes one day for day one," Ornelas said. "The fight is not done. We have Galatians 6:9 as our team verse—do not become weary in doing good.
"Yes, it hasn't been falling in our favor, but we're not done."
A Third Senior Day, and a Final Push
For Ornelas, this final home series is about gratitude and finishing well.
"If you keep showing up, doing good, doing right by each other, it's gonna fall our way eventually," she said. "We still have nothing to lose. We're not done until it's done, so let's go out there and do a job."
ACU takes on first-place California Baptist with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 2 p.m. for the program's She Can Be Day presented by Dr. Leslie Hutchins.
Saturday's series finale begins at 12 p.m. with a Senior Day ceremony honoring Ornelas, Elizabeth Schaefer, Emalee Romero and Alaina Hampton to take place shortly after the game's conclusion.
"I don't think at certain points in my career I ever thought I'd make it to one senior day, let alone three," Ornelas said. "To be here, in a place that truly allows me to be myself and live through my faith—it's really a blessing."
From Staff to Suiting Up Again
Ornelas had already moved on to the next chapter last fall. She worked as a graduate assistant and director of operations for the ACU women's soccer team, learning the rhythms of coaching and logistics while the Wildcats made a run to the conference tournament.
"I loved it," she said. "I love [head soccer coach Stephen] Salas, I love the girls, and I learned a lot from them. That was such a good experience."
Then head softball coach Jo Koons gave her a call.
"She was like, 'Hey, you still have that sixth year,' and I was like, 'Why?'" Ornelas said. "She's like, 'Well, I want to use it.' I genuinely thought she was joking. But I told her, whatever you want me to be, I'll be. That's how it came about."
"I just knew she would bring a leadership piece to us," said Koons. "Similar to [fellow senior] Elizabeth [Schaefer], she is a connector of people. She's also seen both sides of it now which is a very unique perspective, being able to be on the coaching side and get to come back and still be an athlete."
Her medical waiver—granted for a season lost at Cal State Fullerton—gave her one more chance.
The soccer players she worked with last fall have shown up in the stands this spring, cheering loudly between their own matches.
"They're fun," said Ornelas with a laugh.
Perspective from the Other Side
Stepping into a staff role gave Ornelas a new understanding of competition.
"Being on the other side and seeing soccer's frustrations and the ups and downs—they experience the same things we do," she said. "It's so simple. We make it so much bigger than what it is. At the end of the day, it's just a game."
That perspective has helped her steady the Wildcats through a season of close losses and tough breaks. ACU still has a path to the WAC Tournament, and one win this weekend could make all the difference.
"I knew she would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience," said Koons. "It's been a blessing to have her back and have her lead some of our younger student-athletes. She encourages them but also holds them to a standard."
"Coach Koons has done a great job reminding us it takes one day for day one," Ornelas said. "The fight is not done. We have Galatians 6:9 as our team verse—do not become weary in doing good.
"Yes, it hasn't been falling in our favor, but we're not done."
A Third Senior Day, and a Final Push
For Ornelas, this final home series is about gratitude and finishing well.
"If you keep showing up, doing good, doing right by each other, it's gonna fall our way eventually," she said. "We still have nothing to lose. We're not done until it's done, so let's go out there and do a job."
ACU takes on first-place California Baptist with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 2 p.m. for the program's She Can Be Day presented by Dr. Leslie Hutchins.
Saturday's series finale begins at 12 p.m. with a Senior Day ceremony honoring Ornelas, Elizabeth Schaefer, Emalee Romero and Alaina Hampton to take place shortly after the game's conclusion.
Players Mentioned
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/ Softball
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/ Softball
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