Author: OLLUNewsletter

OLLU Sweeps Doubles Early, Seals Match with Singles Wins

Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a strong overall performance against Collin County Community College, earning key victories across the lineup to secure an impressive team win built on depth and composure.

The Saints set the tone early in doubles play, capturing the crucial doubles point with a sweep on all three courts. At No. 1 doubles, Corentin Fusaro and Jacob Gailey controlled the match from the outset, earning a 6-3 victory behind steady serving and confident net play. Jaroslav Majsajdr and Matis Nuziere followed with a commanding 6-2 win at No. 2, dictating tempo with aggressive baseline consistency. The most tightly contested battle came at No. 3, where Eliott Costa and Bastien Prod’homme edged their opponents 7-6, showing poise in the tiebreak to complete the sweep.

In singles, the Saints continued to apply pressure. Majsajdr delivered a composed straight-sets win at No. 2 singles, 6-2, 6-3, controlling rallies and limiting unforced errors. Fusaro added another point at No. 4 with a 6-4, 6-2 decision, while Nuziere was dominant at No. 6, conceding just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 performance.

Bastien Prod’homme showcased resilience at No. 3 singles. After taking the first set 6-2 and dropping the second 4-6, he regrouped and secured the decisive third set 6-4, demonstrating mental toughness in the closing games.

At No. 1 singles, Gabriel Nogueira represented the Saints in a tightly contested three-set battle. After winning the opening set 6-3, he pushed the second set to 5-7 before competing in a deciding match tiebreak. Though the match ultimately favored Collin County’s Luis Andre Oliva, Nogueira’s effort reflected the competitive intensity at the top of the lineup.

Eliott Costa also faced a demanding three-set contest at No. 5. After splitting two close sets, the match was decided in a match tiebreak that narrowly went to Collin County. Despite the result, Costa’s endurance and fight highlighted the Saints depth as they start the bulk of their season.

OLLU to Host Early Voting Site for Primary Elections

Our Lady of the Lake University will serve as an official Early Voting site for the upcoming Primary Elections, providing a convenient opportunity for the campus and surrounding community to participate in the democratic process.

early voting hours

Location: Sueltenfuss Library Community Room

  • Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Friday, Feb. 20: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feb. 21: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Feb. 22: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 23 – Friday, Feb. 27: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Election day
  • Tuesday, March 3: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Open Call: OLLU Student Art Exhibition for Honors Capstone Project

Dayanara Torres, Senior Visual Arts major and Spring 2026 graduation candidate, is curating an on-campus group exhibition as part of her Honors Capstone Project. This project offers an opportunity for any OLLU student in San Antonio to submit their artwork.

THEME:

How students at OLLU express or cope with various mental health struggles during their college careers.

details:
  • Express yourself through whatever medium you’d like with whatever topic related to the theme.
  • Artwork submissions are due by Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. through this form.
  • No AI “art” allowed. All work should be originally created by the artist.
Exhibition details:
  • Opening Reception: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | 6–8 p.m.
  • Exhibition on display: March 18 – April 8, 2026
  • Location: Main 3rd Floor Gallery
Submit your artwork & view all requirements

For more information, email Dayanara Torres at dtorres21sp61@ollusa.edu.

IFCC Spring Artist-in-Residence Workshop with Xelena González – February 28

The OLLU International Folk Culture Center (IFCC) invites you to a special Spring Artist-in-Residence workshop with acclaimed writer, dancer, and healer Xelena González on February 28.

This dynamic, two-part experience is rooted in González’s curative guidebook Lotería Remedios and blends writing, reflection, and gentle movement into a restorative healing practice. Participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions.

Cost:

  • FREE for OLLU students, faculty, staff, and alumni
  • Community participants are welcome with a sliding scale of $8–$88, ensuring accessibility for all income levels
about xelena González

González practices the healing arts through writing and movement. She is a storyteller, dancer, and visiting author who centers self-love in her multi-disciplinary workshops for all ages. Her picture books include the award-winning titles ALL AROUND US (Cinco Puntos Press, 2017), WHERE WONDER GROWS (Lee & Low, 2022), and REMEMBERING (Simon & Schuster, 2023). Her writing for adults includes poetry, essays, fiction, and screenwriting. LOTERIA REMEDIOS is her collection of reflections, divinations, plant and animal medicine, and other tools for self-healing based on the time-honored game (Hay House, July 2024). A former librarian and enrolled member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation, Xelena has become a sought-after speaker on topics such as radical self-love, creative early literacy strategies, inhabiting story through music and movement, and reclaiming indigenous identity in Latinx communities.

Grow Your Own Food: Free Campus Garden Beds Available for the OLLU Community

Have you ever wanted to grow your own herbs, vegetables, or flowers—but didn’t know where to start? Now’s your chance.

The OLLU Community Garden is inviting students, faculty, and staff to rent a FREE garden bed on campus and experience the rewards of growing your own food. Whether you’re planting herbs for your dorm, vegetables for your family, or flowers just because, this space is here for you.

This initiative is supported in part by the TExAS FAST Scholars Program, which continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning, sustainability, and community-building experiences right here on campus. For students especially, this is more than gardening—it’s a chance to develop healthy habits, reduce grocery costs, learn about food systems, and connect classroom knowledge to real-world practice.

By reserving a garden bed, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Build community on campus
  • Grow your own food
  • Practice sustainable living
  • Connect with nature

The community garden is located just outside of the Commerce Street gate, behind the soccer fields and Maintenance Shop.

All skill levels are welcome, and no tools are required. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or have years of experience, the garden is designed to be accessible and welcoming to everyone. Spots are limited to don’t wait!

RESERVE A FREE GARDEN BED

Homecoming Lotería Night: A New Tradition Begins

Homecoming 2026 is almost here—“Rooted in Tradition. United for the Future.” And this year, we’re excited to introduce a brand-new event to the celebration: Lotería Night!

OLLU Homecoming LoteriaFlyerDownload

This special evening is a reimagined lotería and a tribute to San Antonio’s distinctive culinary scene. Celebrated as a UNESCO designated city for Creative City Gastronomy, come learn about the variety and culture behind many of our flavorful dishes. 

Lotería will be delivered by Que Sabor, bringing a vibrant and flavorful twist to this beloved tradition.

Purchase tickets
View all homecoming information

Continuing a Legacy: Beau Lewis Reflects on Family, Mentorship, and Black History Month

For Beau Lewis, athletics is more than competition—it’s a legacy.

Growing up in a family of collegiate athletes, Lewis was surrounded by examples of dedication, discipline, and perseverance. His grandfather played football at the University of Houston, while his mother competed in basketball at Sam Houston State University. Their achievements didn’t just set a standard—they created a pathway.

“I’ve always been driven to follow in their footsteps,” Lewis shares. “Their hard work, discipline, and passion for their sports inspire me every day to give my best for my team and continue their legacy at OLLU.”

That legacy carries special meaning during Black History Month, a time to reflect on the contributions and impact of Black athletes whose excellence and resilience have shaped the world of sports. For Lewis, honoring that history means showing up fully—for himself, his teammates, and those who paved the way before him.

Alongside family inspiration, Lewis credits an influential mentor who helped shape his athletic and personal growth. His high school coach, Coach Norris, played a pivotal role in building his confidence and competitive mindset.  Norris, now OLLU’s Athletic Director, gets to provide that support to Beau and 400 other athletes on a daily basis.

“He always believed in me, pushed me to improve, and made sure I was moving forward even when things got tough,” Lewis says. “I’m incredibly grateful for his support at every meet.”

As a student-athlete at Our Lady of the Lake University, Lewis recognizes the importance of continuing to uplift and celebrate Black voices—not just during February, but throughout the year.

“OLLU uplifts Black voices by sharing these stories year-round,” he notes.

By honoring family legacy, valuing mentorship, and embracing the broader history of Black excellence in athletics, Beau Lewis represents both where the journey began and where it continues. During Black History Month and beyond, his story is a reminder that every performance carries the strength of those who came before—and the inspiration for those still to come.

Lake Weekly Will Now Be Sent from lakeweekly@ollusa.edu

Lake Weekly will now be distributed through the official Lake Weekly email, lakeweekly@ollusa.edu, starting next week.

To ensure you continue receiving important campus updates, we recommend:

  • Adding lakeweekly@ollusa.edu to your “safe senders list”
  • Checking your clutter or junk folder if you don’t see it in your inbox
  • Marking it as “Not Spam” if it is redirected

Lake Weekly remains your central source for university news, faculty and student highlights, upcoming events, policy updates, and campus celebrations.

Thank you for staying connected and engaged with the OLLU community!

Dede’s Late Layup Lifts OLLU Past North American in Overtime

Our Lady of the Lake earned a statement 66–65 overtime victory over North American, showcasing composure, toughness, and execution when it mattered most.

The Saints weathered a physical, back-and-forth battle through regulation, refusing to break despite consistent pressure from North American. OLLU stayed within striking distance behind strong interior play and timely stops, forcing overtime in a game where every possession was contested.

In the extra period, the Saints delivered the defining plays. With the game tied in the final minute, Shayla Dede attacked the lane and finished a decisive layup to give Our Lady of the Lake the lead. OLLU followed with disciplined defense down the stretch, closing out the game and securing the one-point win.

Dede led the Saints with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while also setting the tone with her late-game poise. Alexandra Westerdijk Martin matched her with 18 points and dominated the paint, pulling down 15 rebounds and shooting efficiently throughout the night. Macie Moss added 11 points and seven rebounds, and Isabella Jaramillo logged 43 minutes, contributing nine points and steady leadership in overtime.

Our Lady of the Lake’s advantage at the free-throw line proved critical, as the Saints converted 14 of 20 attempts. OLLU also matched North American’s physicality on the boards and delivered timely defensive stops when the game hung in the balance.

The overtime win reflected the Saints resilience and belief, highlighted by Dede’s clutch basket and a complete team effort that lifted Our Lady of the Lake past North American in a tightly contested finish. OLLU will be back in action Saturday against Xavier University at 1:00 PM CDT at home. 

Homecoming 2026: Save the Date!

Our Lady of the Lake University is excited to welcome back Saints alumni, friends, and family for a celebration of 131 years of community & tradition at Homecoming 2026.

This will be a weekend full of fun events kicking off on Friday, February 27th, and running through March 1st. While more details will be available soon, we’d like to invite you to explore our alumni resources in the meantime, and look forward to inviting you all back to campus.

For the latest updates on Homecoming 2026, visit the official Homecoming page on the OLLU website. Stay tuned! Wings up!