OLLU’s TExAS FAST scholars and the vOLLUnteer Unity Council organized and hosted a cleanup of Elmendorf Lake on Nov. 9. Twenty-seven students showed up to help make the park and campus more beautiful. This was done in partnership with San Antonio Parks and Recreation. The plan is to turn the clean up into a regular event each semester. Watch out for the clean-up day in the spring!
To allow for staff training, the following offices will offer limited services on the third Tuesday of each month (beginning tomorrow) from noon to 5 p.m. this fall:
Please be assured that the offices will remain open, however, there will be limited services in the afternoon on the dates indicated below.
Students planning to graduate in the spring or summer 2025 semester have until Jan. 3, 2025, to submit the graduation application. Apply online through the “Graduation” tile in Saints Connect.
If you have any questions, email graduate@ollusa.edu.
The next General Staff Assembly Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday from 8-9 a.m. in the Library Community Room.
Dr. Stephanie Zepeda, head of the Marriage and Family Therapy program on the OLLU-Houston campus. was recently featured again on the “Catholic Lunch Break” show with the Guadalupe Radio Network. In her interview, Dr. Zepeda discussed the unique ways therapists support their clients and highlighted her own work in helping couples address financial challenges in their relationships. Check out the interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfZIKr_FfsE.
All biweekly employees are reminded to submit their vacation prior to the Thanksgiving break if not working and taking vacation for Monday, Nov. 25, and Tuesday, Nov. 26.
Supervisors also are reminded to approve all leave requests for biweekly employees on or before 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29.
The deadline for supervisors to reviewed and approve timecards is Noon on Monday, Dec. 2.
Join team at noon Monday to find out who they play in opening round
Head Coach Scott Mattera led the volleyball team to his second Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Championship Tournament Title on Saturday as the team swept Texas A&M University (TAMUT) in three sets. Their victory has earned them a berth in the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
The NAIA Selection Show will take place Monday at noon revealing who the Saints will face for the opening round and where the match will take place. A watch party will be held in UWAC Room 104, and all are welcome to attend.
RRAC Conference Tournament overview
The TAMUT Eagles, as the No. 1 seed, and OLLU, as the No. 2 seed, faced a challenging path to the finals. No. 4-seed Louisiana Christian University (LCU) and No. 5 Paul Quinn College battled it out, with LCU emerging victorious to face TAMUT in the first semifinals match. No. 3-seed Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) also fought hard, defeating No. 6-seed Jarvis Christian University to advance to the semifinals against OLLU. This journey to the finals was filled with intense competition and showcased the strength of each team.
TAMUT first defeated LCU 3-0, and OLLU defeated XULA 3-1, and the two teams advanced to the finals.
Match overview
The Saints won the first set 25-23. OLLU tallied 14 kills and six errors on 44 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .182. The Eagles added 13 kills and nine errors on 42 total attacks for a hitting percentage of .095.
In the second game, OLLU won 25-20, and the Saints recorded 10 kills on eight errors in 40 attacks for a .050 hitting percentage. TAMUT came out even with eight kills and eight errors on 39 attacks for a hitting percentage of zero.
In the third period, the Saints had 12 kills on four errors in 33 attacks, for a hitting percentage of .242. The Eagles fared better, with 14 kills and four errors in 37 attacks, for a hitting percentage of .270.
Overall, the Saints recorded 36 kills and 18 errors on 117 attacks, for a .154 hitting percentage. The team also had 34 assists, five aces, and 57 digs.
The Eagles had similar stats: 35 kills, 21 errors on 118 attacks, and a hitting percentage of .119. The team also had 34 assists, two aces, 58 digs, and seven blocks.
Individual leaders
Anais Velasquez’s outstanding performance, leading the Saints with 10 kills on 21 attacks and earning the 2024 RRAC Tournament MVP and All-Tournament Winner titles, is a source of pride for the team and the OLLU community. Her achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication and talent.
Camila Ramirez tallied seven kills and also earned All-Tournament honors.
Lauren Reynard added 16 assists to earn All-Tournament, while Tina Trevino recorded 19 digs and also earned All-Tournament honors.
TAMUT’s Alanna Deering added seven kills and earned All-Tournament honors. Teammate Paulina Dobreva had eight kills and earned All-Tournament recognition.
Zoe Martinez led her team in assists with 17 and 13 digs. Mia Mata added 16 digs for her team.
Other All-Tournament winners were Kamea Uitenham from XULA and Kierra Jones from LCU.
What’s next
The opening round for nations is scheduled for Saturday at various campus sites. The winners of the opening round will advance to the Pool Play competition, which will be held Dec. 4-10 at the Tysons Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
The men’s basketball team downed Louisiana Christian University (LCU) 75-71 on Saturday. The Saints remain undefeated at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The Wildcats fall to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
Head Coach Marcus Thompson said, “We are happy to get the win! It goes without saying that if we want to achieve some of the team goals we have for this season, we need to be better. We have to continue to have a ‘no excuses’ mentality and chip away at bad habits. We didn’t do our best with that aspect today. Learning while winning is always a beautiful thing. We need to continue to stay together. This will not be a game where we are proud of the film, but if we can turn it into a learning lesson it will serve us well down the road. Texarkana is next, which is another tough challenge. I’m looking forward to getting back to work this week!”
History
The Saints were 2-3 against the Wildcats prior to the game.
Basics
The Saints shot well in the first half at 51.7 percent from the field. The defense limited the Wildcats to 1-of-6 shooting from three-point range. Both teams struggled from the free throw line by shooting under 60 percent. The Saints made two layups with under 30 seconds left in the frame to take a two-point lead into halftime. Kenyon Elliot led the Saints with seven points at the break.
OLLU never trailed in the second half. They outscored the Wildcats by two similar to the first half. Trey Law hit a key layup with 46 seconds remaining to put the Saints up by four. The Wildcats were forced to foul and Law hit a free throw to help the Saints win 75-71. The Saints scored 44 points in the paint and 15 points off turnovers. Three players finished with double-digit points.
Offensive/defensive standouts
Rob Gil led the Saints with 13 points, followed by Law with 12. Breion Powell, Law and Wahkil Lopez had six rebounds each. Kenyon Elliot led the team with three assists.
LCU was led by Joseph Holloway with 13 points. Chukwuemeke Nwaoshai led the squad with 10 rebounds. Jon’Quarius McGhee had three assists for the Wildcats.
Inside the box
OLLU combined for 28-of-59 from the field for a percentage of 47.5. LCU shot 28-of-71 for a percentage of 39.4. OLLU added 35 rebounds to LCU’s 42, while the Wildcats committed 13 turnovers, and OLLU had 16.
Up next
The Saints women’s and men’s basketball teams will host Texas A&M University-Texarkana on Thursday. The women’s game begins at 5:30 p.m. and the men tip off at 7:30 p.m. The Spirit Team will be performing at the games.
OLLU’s annual Veterans Day Observation Ceremony will take place today in the Mall Area (rain location MARC Ballroom) beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Jesse Mancíaz/Xam’le Kuiz (Red Feather), Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps, will provide the featured address. Deceased veterans will be recognized by a moment of silence and the playing of Taps. An Armed Forces medley will be played during which members of each branch of service will be recognized.
The entire university community is invited to attend the ceremony and help recognize our student, faculty and staff veterans.
University volunteers are needed to serve as escorts for the CDP Sisters on a “field trip” down memory lane. The event will take place Friday from 1:45-3:15 p.m.
Volunteers will escort the Sisters from Annunciation Chapel to the Mall Area, followed by a visit to Sacred Heart Chapel and a reception in the Main Building Parlors. The event will conclude when the Sisters are escorted back to Annunciation Chapel.
To volunteer, scan the QR code on the flier below or email missionandministry@ollusa.edu. Volunteers must sign up by Wednesday.
