Month: June 2023

Women’s soccer releases 2023 schedule

The women’s soccer team has released the 2023 fall schedule for its 16th season in the NAIA.

The Saints compete in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) along with Huston-Tillotson University (HTU), Jarvis Christian University (JCU), Louisiana Christian University (LCU), LSU-Alexandria (LSUA), LSU-Shreveport (LSUS), Paul Quinn College, Texas A&M University – San Antonio (AM-SA), Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT), Texas College (TC), the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) and the University of the Southwest (USW). The conference adds two new members – North American University (NAU) out of Houston and Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA).

Interim Head Coach Max Cruz commented, “We are excited and looking forward to this upcoming season. With the solid structure and team that we have coming back, along with the incoming Saints, our expectations and goals are high. We are confident that with the correct preparation and coaching, this team will continue being successful on and off the field.”

The Saints finished their 2022 campaign with a 8-4-7 overall record and 5-1-5 in conference. As the No. 3 seed in the postseason, the Saints defeated LCU 2-0 in the opening round, but fell to TAMUT 1-5 in the semifinals to end their season.

Preseason schedule

The Saints begin their preseason at home with a scrimmage against NCAA D3 Texas Lutheran University on Aug. 21, and a scrimmage in Laredo against NCAA D2 Texas A&M International on Aug. 26. Their official season begins on Sept. 2 in Chickasha, Okla., against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (vs. – 1-3-2). The team moves to Oklahoma City for a nonconference matchup against Oklahoma City University (vs. – 4-3-1) on Sept. 4.

The Saints continue their nonconference schedule on Sept. 9 against Wayland Baptist University (vs. – 5-1) at home.

Conference lineup

On Sept. 14, the women begin their conference schedule with a home match against LSUS (vs. – 7-2-3/Overall 9-5-3/RRAC 4-5-2/8th Place), and TAMUT (vs. – 6-2-1/Overall 17-2-1/RRAC 10-0-1/1st Place) visits OLLU on Sept. 14 for a match.

The team hits the road the following week on Sept. 21 for a match against TC (vs. – 14-0/Overall 0-12/RRAC 0-10/12th Place) in Tyler. The Saints travel to Hawkins, Texas, next for a match against JCC (vs. – 8-0-1/Overall 5-11-1/RRAC 2-8-1)/10th Place) on Sept. 23. USW (vs. – 20-4/Overall 7-6-2/RRAC 5-4-2/7th Place) comes to OLLU on Sept. 28, and PQC (vs. – 8-0/Overall 6-10-1/RRAC 2-10/11th Place) will be in San Antonio on Sept. 30.

The Saints will travel south for a match against AM-SA (vs. – 1-0-1/Overall 9-4-3/RRAC 6-3-2/5th Place) on Oct. 7, and on Oct. 12, OLLU will host XULA. The Saints will play NAU on Oct. 14.

LSUA (vs. – 9-1-1/Overall 10-6-1/RRAC 6-3-1/4th Place) hosts OLLU on Oct. 19, and LCU (vs. – 2-2/Overall 8-5-2/RRAC 6-3-2/6th Place) will host the Saints on Oct. 21. The Saints will travel to Victoria for a matchup against UHV (vs. – 13-1-2/Overall 10-3-5/RRAC 7-1-3/2nd Place) on Oct. 26, and the women will play their last regular-season game on Oct. 28 in Austin, Texas, against HTU (vs. – 12-3/Overall 4-8-2/RRAC 3-7-1/9th Place).

RRAC tournament

The conference will get set for the 2023 postseason beginning Nov. 3 at campus sites for the opening round and Nov. 10 for the final rounds in Texarkana, Texas. The Eagles won the regular season and postseason titles in 2022. They fell in the opening round of nationals to Tennessee Southern University to end their season.

NAIA tournament

The First and Second Round of the NAIA National Championship will take place Nov. 16-18 at campus sites. The 40th Annual Women’s Soccer National Championship will take place Nov. 27-Dec. 4 at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Ala.

Plans for home matches

The Saints will broadcast home matches on the OLLU Saints Network, and will feature live-stats. Links will be available on the women’s soccer schedule page. 

General admission charge for all home matches is $10; free admission is available for OLLU faculty, staff and students.

Men’s soccer unveils 2023 schedule

The men’s soccer team has released the 2023 fall schedule for its 17th season in the NAIA.

The Saints compete in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) along with Huston-Tillotson University (HTU), Jarvis Christian University (JCU), Louisiana Christian University (LCU), LSU-Alexandria (LSUA), LSU-Shreveport (LSUS), Paul Quinn College, Texas A&M University – San Antonio (AM-SA), Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT), Texas College (TC), the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) and the University of the Southwest (USW). The conference adds two new members – North American University (NAU) out of Houston and Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA).

Head Coach Shane Hurley commented, “We have some tough tests for us in preseason, and with a large group of incoming players, that tough competition should assist in obtaining quality assessments of our depth in many areas. I’m looking forward to seeing what the gentlemen can do, as well as to seeing us represent OLLU.”

The Saints finished their 2022 campaign with a 2-11-3 overall record and 2-7-2 in conference. The team finished in 10th place and did not qualify for the postseason.

Preseason schedule

The Saints begin their preseason at home with a scrimmage against NCAA D3 Texas Lutheran University on Aug. 21, and a scrimmage in Laredo against NCAA D2 Texas A&M International on Aug. 26. Their official season begins on Sept. 2 in Chickasha, Okla., against the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (vs. – 2-4). The team moves to Oklahoma City for a nonconference matchup against Oklahoma City University (vs. – 2-4-2) on Sept. 4.

The Saints continue their nonconference schedule on Sept. 9 against Wayland Baptist University (vs. – 1-5-1) at home.

Conference lineup

On Sept. 14, the men begin their conference schedule with a home match against LSUS (vs. – 6-5/Overall 14-4-3/RRAC 9-0-2/1st Place), and TAMUT (vs. – 8-1/Overall 6-8-3/RRAC 4-4-3/7th Place) visits OLLU on Sept. 14 for a match.

The team hits the road the following week on Sept. 21 for a match against TC (vs. – 11-2-1/Overall 0-14-1/RRAC 0-11/12th Place) in Tyler. The Saints travel to Hawkins, Texas, next for a match against JCC (vs. – 9-0/Overall 5-11-1/RRAC 2-8-1)/12th Place) on Sept. 23. USW (vs. – 12-6-1/Overall 3-8-4/RRAC 2-5-4/9th Place) comes to OLLU on Sept. 28, and PQC (vs. – 3-1-2/Overall 9-6-3/RRAC 4-5-3/8th Place) will be in San Antonio on Sept. 30.

The Saints will travel south for a match against AM-SA (vs. – 1-1/Overall 7-5-3/RRAC 5-3-3/4th Place) on Oct. 7, and on Oct. 12, OLLU will host XULA. The Saints will play NAU on Oct. 14.

LSUA (vs. – 2-7-4/Overall 6-7-3/RRAC 5-3-3/5th Place) hosts OLLU on Oct. 19, and LCU (vs. – 1-1/Overall 11-3-6/RRAC 6-0-5/3rd Place) will host the Saints on Oct. 21. The Saints will travel to Victoria for a matchup against UHV (vs. – 8-8-2/Overall 10-3-5/RRAC 7-0-4/2nd Place) on Oct. 26, and the men will play their last regular-season game on Oct. 28 in Austin, Texas, against HTU (vs. – 8-9-2/Overall 8-7/RRAC 6-5/6th Place).

RRAC tournament

The conference will get set for the 2023 postseason beginning Nov. 3 at campus sites for the opening round and Nov. 10 for the final round in Texarkana, Texas. The LSUS Pilots won the regular season and postseason titles in 2022. They fell in the opening round of nationals to William Carey University to end their season.

NAIA tournament

The First and Second Rounds of the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship will take place Nov. 16-18 at campus sites. The 65th Annual Men’s Soccer National Championship will take place Nov. 27-Dec. 4 at the Stryker Soccer Complex in Wichita, Kan.

Plans for home matches

The Saints will broadcast home matches on the OLLU Saints Network, and will feature live-stats. Links will be available on the men’s soccer schedule page. 

General admission charge for all home matches is $10; free admission is available for OLLU faculty, staff and students.

OLLU receives $5 million grant for scholarships and research

OLLU received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) NextGEN program to help build the next generation of food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences (FANH) workforce. The award was announced June 21 during a special ceremony held in Washington, D.C.

OLLU will use the $5 million, five-year grant to support “TExAS FAST: Texas Experiential Learning and Scholarship Program for Food and Agriculture Science Training.” The program will begin in fall 2023. 

Incoming OLLU freshmen majoring or minoring in Environmental Science and Sustainability will have the opportunity to apply for academic scholarships of $5,000 per year, and room and board scholarships of $8,619. In addition, they will take part in the new Environmental Science and Sustainability Living Learning Community, summer research projects, and will receive a monthly stipend of $1,000 for 24 months and a paid internship ($4,000) during their senior year.

“I am beyond thrilled to have been awarded this grant,” said Briana Salas, PhD, OLLU Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Project Director. “When I created the Environmental Science and Sustainability program in 2021, I did so in response to student interests in human impacts on the environment and a desire for additional options for STEM degrees. The program has been successful in the last two years, but this opportunity will completely transform the student experience.” 

Adam Bynum, OLLU Instructor of Biology, will serve as co-Project Director.

In addition to student scholarships, the grant will fund professional development activities for faculty to revise STEM classes in a CURE format (Classroom based Undergraduate Research Experiences). The CURE format allows students who otherwise might not have the chance to experience “real” research to get those experiences in the classroom setting.

Professor Benavides featured in Texas Public Radio’s ‘Fronteras’

English Professor Yvette Benavides was featured in the most recent episode of Texas Public Radio’s Fronteras. She was interviewed about her work as editor-at-large of Tinta Books, an imprint of Trinity University Press.

You can listen to her interview here, which tells how Tinta Books uplifts Mexico and Mexican American history and culture.

Professor Benavides continues her work as host and producer of Book Public, a podcast from Texas Public Radio.  Recent summertime episodes in the last two months include interviews with acclaimed authors Nicole Chung, Luis Alberto Urrea, Karin Lin Greenberg, and Isabel Allende. Book Public | TPR

Additionally, she continues her work as contributing editor on the editorial board of Story magazine. Story – Publisher of literary fiction and nonfiction (storymagazine.org)

ConvergePoint to be discontinued

The university will discontinue the use of ConvergePoint this fall. A Policy Bank housed in SharePoint will take its place.

Any links you or your department have to ConvergePoint policies, procedures, guidelines or statements will no longer work once ConvergePoint is discontinued.

If you have links to ConvergePoint policies in handbooks, websites, SharePoint sites etc., please contact rgarcia3@ollusa.edu or mscotka@ollusa.edu by June 29 for specific instructions on how to prepare for the transition.

OLLU recognizes accomplishments of Saints volleyball

OLLU recognized the achievements of the volleyball team from the 2022-2023 season during the virtual 11th Annual Big Blue Athletics Banquet.

The season was highlighted by the women capturing the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship on Nov. 6. It was the team’s sixth regular-season title and second under Head Coach Scott Mattera. The Saints narrowly missed winning the postseason tournament, but fell to eventual champion Xavier University of Louisiana in a five-set thriller finals match. The Saints finished out the season with a 16-0 conference record and 21-5 overall.

The women also excelled in academics after earning a 3.47 GPA and winning the NAIA Scholar-Team award.

The season was also highlighted by major awards received by a freshman.

Mia Dorsey became only the second volleyball freshman to be named an NAIA All-American. She received Honorable Mention recognition. She was also the second to be named AVCA All-South Central Region Freshman of the Year. Bailei Hubbard (2017-2019) was the first freshman to earn these honors.

OLLU congratulates soccer teams’ achievements

OLLU recognized the men’s and women’s soccer teams from the 2022-2023 season during the virtual 11th Annual Big Blue Athletics Banquet.

The women’s team finished the regular season with a 8-4-7 overall record and 5-1-5 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) for the third seed in the postseason. After defeating Louisiana Christian University 2-0 in the opening round of the tournament, they ended their season as semifinalists after losing to Texas A&M University – Texarkana. The Saints have made it to the postseason every season except the first in 2008 and in 2017.

The men ended the season with a 2-11-3 overall record and 2-7-2 in the conference.

Both the men and women excelled in academics after capturing NAIA Scholar-Team and United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award recognition. The women earned OLLU’s TOP GPA Award with a 3.62 GPA, while the men finished with a 3.02 GPA.

Selected as the teams’ Top Saint award winners were Randy Dominguez and Madison Herrera.

OLLU recognizes achievements of cross-country teams

OLLU recognized the achievements of the men’s and women’s cross-country teams from the 2022-2023 season during the virtual 11th Annual Big Blue Athletics Banquet.

The season was highlighted by the women capturing the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship on Nov. 4. It was the team’s eighth championship. Nadia Sifuentes was the Individual Champion, while Deandra Ibarra won the Freshman of the Year Award for marking the best finish by a freshman.

The women went on to compete at the 2022 NAIA Cross-Country Championships on Nov. 18 in Tallahassee, Fla.

The women also excelled in academics after capturing the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Team Academic Award.

Both the men and women earned NAIA Scholar-Team recognition at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year. The women finished with a 3.005 GPA, while the men marked a 3.027 GPA.

Head Coach Patrick Torres won RRAC Coach of the Year honors. Selected as the teams’ Top Saint award winners were Nadia Sifuentes and Jose Zarate.