Bearcats turn to Cleary to lead volleyball team

For the Mon Valley Independent

The Bentworth volleyball team has a new coach after the resignation of Delaynie Stevenson.

Stevenson led the program to its most recent playoff appearance in 2022 after a five-year drought.

Sean Cleary was hired last week by the Bentworth School Board, after spending the past five seasons in the college ranks.

Cleary most recently served as head coach of the Franciscan University women’s volleyball team in Ohio. Before going to Franciscan, Cleary was the head coach at Penn State Beaver.

“We are very excited for Sean to join our coaching staff and be at the helm of the entire volleyball program.  He certainly brings a stellar level of experience and is the type of volleyball coach we were looking for that can rebuild and rebrand the program to where it once was back in the early 2000s,” Bentworth athletic director Brian Malecki said. “His enthusiasm for the job is overflowing and that type of attitude is exactly what we love to have.”

Cleary had other head coaching jobs at Central Valley, Chartiers-Houston and Chartiers Valley, where he took over for Malecki in 2008.  Delaynie did lead the Bearcats to the playoffs in 2022 season for the first time in 5 years.    

“I am excited and honored to have been offered and accepted the head coaching position within the Bentworth School District,” Cleary said. “It is my expectation and intention to build on the past history of the program by creating an environment where we strive for success by working hard, working together, growing and learning beside each other. All that while never worrying about who gets the credit. A culture of inclusivity, positivity, and family will be our foundation for success.”