The Volts’ bullpen took a big hit when the team lost stars Sam Landry and Payton Gottshall in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Draft, but those losses were quickly followed by some big-time additions to the team’s roster.

Replenishing the bullpen became the top priority for Volts General Manager Cat Osterman heading into the allocation draft. 

The Volts protected five players: catcher Dejah Mulipola, utility player Mia Scott, infielder Tiare Jennings, outfielder Amanda Lorenz, and pitcher Rachel Garcia. Following the expansion draft, they added two more protected players: infielder Sierra Romero and outfielder Ciara Briggs, before adding some new faces in the allocation draft.

Experience in the Circle

“I knew the chances were very high that I was going to lose both Sam and [Payton Gottshall],” Osterman said. “So we knew we were going to have to come in and try to get a strong staff to share the load with Rachel [Garcia].”

The Volts wasted no time addressing their pitching needs, selecting three arms in the allocation draft. Ally Carda went sixth overall in Round 1, bringing Olympic experience and international pedigree as a 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist and 2022 World Games Gold Medalist.

Alyssa Denham followed in Round 2 with the 12th pick, a two-time AU Pro Softball medalist (now All-Star Cup) who led the competition with a 1.51 ERA in 2023 and is returning from back surgery. Aliyah Binford rounded out the pitching additions in Round 4, providing versatility as both a pitcher and a reliable hitter to add to the lineup.

“We were looking at needing to try to leave that draft with four arms,” Osterman said. “On paper, I think we’re better in the circle than we were last year. And obviously, as you know, the circle ended up being our strength. So we strengthened something that was already good for us.”

Supplementing Sluggers with Speed

With power already established on the roster, the Volts looked to add a speed component they were missing. They found it in Round 3 with the 18th overall pick: Rylie Boone, who’s a former Spark player who can be lethal on the bases and in the outfield.

“I don’t know that there’s anyone faster in the draft, so we were excited to be able to grab her,” Osterman said. “There’s an intensity and a passion that Rylie Boone possesses, that our team has, and I think she’s just going to enhance that.”

Boone brings the team’s true outfielder count to three as she joins Ciara Briggs and Amanda Lorenz from last season’s squad.

“We added speed with Rylie Boone, and I think that might have been a missing piece for us a little bit…just more someone who’s on base and can wreak a little havoc,” she added.

Faith in the Class of 2026

The Volts will turn to the 2026 College Draft to fill any remaining roster needs, and Osterman feels confident in the depth of talent available.

“The incoming rookie class is just deep,” Osterman said. “There are four or five arms that you can talk about possibly making a difference. There are at least two, if not three, catchers or more who can make a difference. And then that’s not even hitting infielders and position players…we’re talking almost two full rounds of athletes that could come in and be difference makers.”

As the Volts roster currently stands, Osterman and first-year Head Coach Ricci Woodard are working with four right-handed pitchers, two catchers, three infielders, three outfielders and two versatile utility players. The team will be able to add up to two more players in the College Draft.

“Whatever you need as a GM, whether it’s me or one of the other five, it’s there in the draft. There’s someone in there that possesses what you need, whether it’s speed, power, an arm, starting catcher…this draft will be able to allow everyone to fill their holes.”

The full Volts roster can be found here.

Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.