Saints Volleyball Captures Multiple RRAC Awards

The 2025 Red River Athletic Conference volleyball season once again highlighted the excellence and competitive spirit of the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) Saints. While the conference’s postseason awards featured strong representation from several programs, OLLU distinguished itself with both individual accolades and collective recognition, underscoring the depth and discipline that define the Saints volleyball tradition.

At the forefront was senior setter Lauren Reynard, who was named the RRAC Setter of the Year and earned a place on the All-Conference First Team. Reynard’s leadership, precision, and consistency on the court were instrumental in guiding OLLU’s offense. A repeat first-team selection, she demonstrated exceptional command of the game, orchestrating plays with composure and elevating the performance of those around her. Her award represents not only personal excellence but also the high standard of technical execution that OLLU volleyball continues to uphold.

Joining Reynard on the First Team were senior outside hitter Mia Francis, sophomore right-side hitter Anais Velazquez, and junior defensive specialist Chanisty Villarreal-Bermea. Each contributed significantly to the Saints success throughout the season. Francis, a dominant presence at the net, delivered consistent offensive power and senior leadership. Velazquez brought versatility and offensive balance, while Villarreal-Bermea anchored the Saints backcourt defense with precision and poise. Collectively, their performances embodied the teamwork and determination that have become hallmarks of OLLU’s program.

The Saints also demonstrated exceptional depth with several additional honorees on the All-Conference Second Team. Sophomore middle blocker Nicole Bir, freshman defensive specialist Sophia Castillo, and freshman middle blocker Bailey Scott all earned recognition for their impact on both sides of the court. Their inclusion reflects not only the immediate contributions of younger players but also the program’s strong foundation for sustained success. Freshman outside hitter Clarissa Rodriguez earned Honorable Mention, further underscoring the talent and promise within OLLU’s roster.

Beyond athletic performance, OLLU continued to exemplify the core values of the NAIA’s Champions of Character program. Junior Yridia Flores represented the Saints on the Champions of Character Team, recognized for her integrity, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

OLLU’s representation across every level of recognition speaks to the balance, depth, and competitive integrity of the Saints’ program. The 2025 season reaffirmed OLLU’s position as one of the RRAC’s most respected and consistent volleyball programs, a team defined not only by its athletic achievements but also by its leadership, unity, and character.

As the Saints look ahead to the RRAC tournament play tomorrow, their 2025 campaign stands as a testament to the program’s ongoing pursuit of excellence. With veteran leadership and emerging talent, OLLU volleyball continues to embody the university’s mission of competitive greatness grounded in integrity, teamwork, and faith.

The Showman Era Begins, Saints Capture First Win Of The Season

The Our Lady of the Lake University women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance in a 65–45 victory over Huston-Tillotson, showcasing efficient offense, strong rebounding, and balanced team play from start to finish.

Senior guard Samantha Fields led the way for the Saints with a standout performance, scoring a game-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including three makes from beyond the arc. Fields steady scoring and on-ball defense set the tone for OLLU, as she also recorded two steals and committed just one foul across 37 minutes of play.

Forward Alexandra Westerdijk Martin provided a powerful presence in the paint, finishing with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Her ability to crash the boards on both ends (six offensive rebounds) gave the Saints multiple second-chance opportunities that helped them maintain control throughout the contest. Guard Shayla Dede added 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in a strong two-way showing, while freshman forward Zariah Todd contributed five rebounds and four points in 26 minutes.

Off the bench, Isabella Jaramillo delivered an important spark, tallying seven points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes. Her efficiency at the free throw line (4-for-4) and active defensive presence helped sustain OLLU’s momentum whenever the starters rested. Aniyah Andrews also added three points and four rebounds, while Amya Miller-Singleton and Anissa Cardona chipped in valuable minutes.

As a team, the Saints shot 44.1 percent from the field and outrebounded Huston-Tillotson 46–26, including a 16–10 edge on the offensive glass. Their defensive intensity forced 16 turnovers and held the Rams to just 27.5 percent shooting overall and 23.5 percent from three-point range.The Rams struggled to find rhythm against OLLU’s tight perimeter defense and physical play in the post.

With the victory, OLLU continued to demonstrate the depth and discipline that have become trademarks of its program. The Saints ability to combine efficient scoring with relentless rebounding and teamwork positions them as a formidable force as the season progresses. The Saints will be back in action

OLLU Sweeps RRAC Weekly Awards For Second Straight Week

The final RRAC Women’s Soccer Players of the Week were announced today. Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) won both awards – Offensive Player of the Week – Hannah Brookfield and Defensive Player of the Week – London Suarez for Nov. 3-9.

RRAC Offensive Player of the Week – Hannah Brookfield – Our Lady of the Lake University
Graduate student Hannah Brookfield scored two goals against Texas A&M-Victoria. She took two shots, both on goal.

Additional nominees: Genevieve Colon from North American (Texas) and Desiree Narvaez from Texas A&M-Texarkana

RRAC Defensive Player of the Week – London Suarez – Our Lady of the Lake University
Senior keeper London Suarez earned her second consecutive award as she guided her team to a 4-0 shutout over Texas A&M-Victoria. She recorded three saves for the Saints.

Additional nominees: Arely Sarabia from NAU and Layla Anaya from TAMUT

RRAC Notebook:

Desiree Narvaez from TAMUT scored a goal, while taking four shots, four on goal. The Eagles fell to LSU Alexandria 3-2.
Genevieve Colon from NAU took three shots, two on goal, as the Lady Stallions lost to TAMUV.
Senior keeper Arely Serabia from NAU delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, posting 13 saves against TAMUV.
Sophomore keeper Layla Anaya from TAMUT tallied five saves in a 3-2 loss to LSU Alexandria.

RRAC Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament:

The 2025 RRAC Women’s Soccer Championship Tournament is set to continue this week. The semifinal results from earlier today were LSU Shreveport 2-0 over LSU Alexandria and Xavier 3-2 over OLLU. The Pilots and Gold Rush advance to the finals on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. on the campus of TAMUT.

2025 RRAC Women’s Soccer Weekly Selections:

Date	Offensive	Defensive
Aug. 18-24	Brooklyn Lattier (TAMUT)	Salka Hrafns (OLLU)
Aug. 25-31	Samira Roper (XULA)	Luisa Bella (XULA)
Sept. 1-7	Samira Roper (XULA)	Jamie Noriega (TAMUV)
Sept. 8-14	Eleonora Diversi (OLLU)	Rosa Reyes (TAMUV)
Sept. 15-21	Ayloni Garcia (TAMUV)	Abree Fry (TAMUV)
Sept. 22-28	Desiree Narvaez (TAMUT)	Amelia Thompson ((XULA)
Sept. 29-Oct. 5	Ayloni Garcia (TAMUV)	Jamie Noriega (TAMUV)
Oct. 6-12	Mada Uriarte (LSUS)	Shakiana Dagher (XULA)
Oct. 13-19	Jade Derks (LSUS)	Fenja Leibner (LSUA)
Oct. 20-26	Samira Roper (XULA)	Luisa Bella (XULA)
Oct. 27-Nov. 2	Leah Tapia (OLLU)	London Suarez (OLLU)
Nov. 3-9	Hannah Brookfield (OLLU)	London Suarez (OLLU)

OLLU Dominates Xavier As Saints Look To Repeat

Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a composed and confident performance as they swept Xavier (LA) to earn their place in tomorrow’s championship match. With a steady rhythm that grew stronger as the afternoon progressed, OLLU controlled the match 25–23, 28–26, 25–19, showcasing both resilience under pressure and the offensive balance that has defined their best volleyball this season.

OLLU’s attack was anchored by Anais Velazquez Figueroa, whose 17 kills on a .400 hitting percentage set the tone at the net. Mia Francis added 13 kills of her own, consistently finding ways to score even as rallies tightened. Setter Lauren Reynard guided the offense with precision, recording 38 assists while keeping Xavier’s block off balance. Her distribution allowed multiple hitters to find rhythm, helping OLLU outpace Xavier across all three sets.

Defensively, the Saints were steady and disciplined. Nicole Bir contributed key touches at the net with six block assists, and the back row, led by Reynard, Castillo, and Saldana, absorbed pressure and limited Xavier’s opportunities to sustain momentum. Though Xavier had moments of surge, especially behind the strong hitting of Taylor Parker and Kamea Uitenham, OLLU’s consistency and poise in late-set situations carried them through.

The Saints now advance to tomorrow’s championship match at 1:00 PM, where they will face the winner of Texas A&M–Texarkana and Louisiana Christian. After a controlled and confident semifinal performance, OLLU moves forward with momentum and a clear competitive edge as they prepare for their shot at the title.

Celebrating Innovation: OLLU Joins Maestro Event Supporting Small Business Growth

The recent Maestro Entrepreneur Center event held on Friday, November 14th, brought together entrepreneurs, community partners, and business leaders to celebrate the transformative spirit of innovation that drives small businesses forward. As champions of opportunity and empowerment, Our Lady of the Lake University was proud to support and participate in this event, which aligns deeply with our values and mission.

Entrepreneurship reflects the very heart of the OLLU story—vision, determination, and the courage to create something meaningful for our community. For more than a century, OLLU has been a place where individuals with bold ideas and strong purpose come to grow, learn, and lead. Events like Maestro remind us that small businesses are more than economic engines; they are sources of creativity, resilience, and community identity.

The OLLU School of Business stands committed to preparing the next generation of ethical, community-minded entrepreneurs. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world business experiences, we empower students to turn their ideas into action and to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

The Maestro Event served as a powerful reminder that when education and entrepreneurship intersect, our communities grow stronger. OLLU proudly continues to support local innovators and to cultivate a learning environment where business leadership is rooted in service, responsibility, and impact.

This is what it means to be a part of the OLLU community—where every great business story begins with purpose.

Discover What’s Happening at OLLU — Visit the Events Calendar!

Looking to stay connected and make the most of your OLLU experience? The OLLU Events Calendar is your one-stop destination for everything happening on campus and beyond.

Whether you’re interested in:

📘 Academic and Professional Events
Workshops, lectures, career development sessions, academic deadlines, and more.

🎉 Student Life and Extracurricular Activities
Campus traditions, social events, cultural celebrations, and leadership opportunities.

🏛️ University-Sponsored Events
Major campus gatherings, community partnerships, performances, ceremonies, and special announcements.

You can find it all—updated regularly and easy to browse—on the OLLU website.

🔗 Visit the Events Calendar anytime at: OLLU Events

Stay informed, get involved, and make every week at the Lake meaningful! 💙

As a reminder, the OLLU community can submit their requests for website visibility through the request form.

OLLU Biology Students Complete Community Water-Quality Project, Share Findings with Local Seniors

Last month, Our Lady of the Lake University highlighted a meaningful collaboration between OLLU Biology students and Building Hope Together, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting low-income senior citizens. As part of this community-engaged project, students visited the homes of elder residents to test water quality and assess environmental health concerns that may impact daily life.

We are proud to share that the project is now complete — and the students are ready to bring their findings back to the community they served.

To honor this partnership and ensure transparency in the scientific process, OLLU students will present their results during a community report-back event on Tuesday, November 18, at 8 a.m. in Metz 305. Seniors who participated in the study, leaders from Building Hope Together, and the student research teams will all be in attendance.

This gathering is more than a presentation; it is a celebration of shared learning, mutual respect, and the university’s commitment to community-rooted research. By engaging directly with local elders, students experienced firsthand how science can uplift and empower communities — a value deeply embedded in OLLU’s mission.

All who are interested are warmly invited to attend and support our students as they present the impact of their work.

Alum Spotlight: Byanka Ramos, LCSW – Amplifying Latinx Voices in Social Work

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrates alumna Byanka Ramos, LCSW (BSW ’18), whose passion for advocacy, healing, and representation is making a meaningful impact in the field of social work.

Byanka began her journey at OLLU, earning her Bachelor of Social Work in 2018. She credits her time on our campus—and the faculty who guided her—for shaping both her professional path and personal mission. One mentor in particular, former OLLU professor Cynthia Medina, played a transformative role. In her newly published book chapter, Byanka honors Professor Medina as “a catalyst” who inspired her to believe in her voice, her potential, and the power of culturally rooted social work.

After completing her BSW, Byanka continued her education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, earning a Master of Social Work degree. She has since achieved her clinical social work license, expanding her ability to serve individuals, families, and communities through therapeutic practice.

This year, Byanka reached an exciting new milestone: the publication of her chapter in Latinx/e in Social Work, Volume 3, a recognized anthology highlighting the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Latinx professionals in the field. Her contribution uplifts the lived experiences of Latinx communities while inspiring the next generation of social workers to share their stories without fear or hesitation.

By using her platform to amplify underrepresented voices—and by honoring those who mentored her along the way—Byanka exemplifies the OLLU spirit of service, leadership, and community commitment.

Congratulations, Byanka! You continue to make OLLU proud.

OLLU’s Crave Café Prepares for Machine Ordering Installation

Exciting upgrades are coming to Crave Café! As part of OLLU’s continued efforts to enhance campus dining convenience and improve the student experience, GRUBHUB ordering machines will be installed this week.

The installation will take place:

Wednesday, November 19 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, November 20 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (if necessary)

During this time, Crave Café will remain open, but visitors should anticipate temporary congestion, minor noise, and brief service adjustments as crews work to complete the installation.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we take this important step to improve dining convenience on campus. Thank you for bearing with us during this brief transition—big things are brewing (and cooking!) at Crave Café!

REMINDER – Lighting the Way: OLLU’s Beloved Candlelight 90th Anniversary Tradition Continues

JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Join us for OLLU’s oldest, ongoing tradition!
Candlelight Advent Prayer Service – 90^th Anniversary
Friday, December 5, 2025 @6:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Conventual Chapel

Dating back to 1935, Candlelight is a cherished tradition that serves as a moment to pause and reflect on the profound themes of the Advent season, a time of waiting and joyful anticipation for the coming of Christ. This magical night is not merely an event; it is an experience filled with Scripture readings that touch the heart, uplifting hymns that resonate with hope, heartfelt prayers that invoke peace, and exquisite musical performances by the talented San Antonio Choral Society, all culminating in a thoughtful reflection that invites contemplation. At its conclusion, we will walk together in unity and warmth to fill the expansive floors of the Moye rotunda, where we will joyously sing beloved Christmas carols by candlelight, bringing forth a spirit of community and shared celebration. As the evening unfolds, attendees can delight in an array of festive treats, including delicious cookies, comforting hot chocolate, and savory tamales, graciously donated by OLLU alumna, Valerie Gonzalez Handly of Delicious Tamales, adding a delightful flavor to the wonderful memories we will create together.

For more information, contact MissionAndMinistry@ollusa.edu