News – Page 20 – Lake Weekly

OLLU Softball Ranked Third In RRAC Preseason Poll

Despite being slotted third in the 2026 RRAC Softball Preseason Poll, Our Lady of the Lake enters the new season positioned as one of the conference’s most formidable programs following a dominant 2025 campaign. The Saints earned a first-place vote and finished just one point shy of second in the poll, underscoring the respect they command across the league.

OLLU was one of four RRAC teams to qualify for the 2025 NAIA National Championship Tournament and proved its championship pedigree throughout the year. The Saints posted an outstanding 27-1 conference record, with their only regular-season loss coming to LSU Alexandria in April. When it mattered most, OLLU responded emphatically, defeating LSUA twice in the postseason, including a 5-2 win and a 3-0 shutout in the championship game. OLLU finished the conference tournament a perfect 4-0 to claim the RRAC title.

The Saints postseason success highlighted their consistency and resilience against top-tier competition. OLLU also notched key victories over Texas A&M-Texarkana during the season, continuing a trend of strong performances against fellow national qualifiers. At the NAIA National Championship Tournament, OLLU went 2-2, further demonstrating its ability to compete on the national stage.

As the program turns the page, OLLU enters a new era with assistant coach Joey Armijo taking over as head coach in August 2025. Armijo brings continuity and stability after working alongside longtime head coach Bruce Lenington for six seasons, during which the Saints compiled a 238-64 record and established themselves as a perennial RRAC contender.

With a proven roster, championship experience, and a seamless coaching transition, Our Lady of the Lake heads into 2026 poised to challenge for another conference title. While preseason rankings offer a snapshot of expectations, the Saints recent history suggests they are well-positioned to exceed them and remain a central force in the RRAC race.

Preseason poll voting was submitted by each head coach. The results, shown below, are based on points calculated with an 11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 format. First-place votes are indicated in parentheses.

Rank	School	Points
1.	LSU Alexandria (9)	99
2.	Texas A&M-Texarkana	85
3.	Our Lady of the Lake (1)	84
4.	Texas A&M-Victoria	69
5.	Texas A&M-San Antonio	58
6.	Louisiana Christian	47
7.	Xavier	38
8.	Southwest	32
9.	Jarvis Christian	25
10.	Texas College	18

El Segundo de Febrero Community Conference Kickoff on February 2

Our Lady of the Lake University will host the El Segundo de Febrero Community Conference: Stories of Resilience Since the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on February 2, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with a Blessing of the Throat mass and a Blessing of the Seeds Ceremony with a dance performance by Grupo Xinatli Danza Azteca in St. Anne’s Courtyard. The program will run through Friday, February 6.

The conference marks the return of the Segundo de Febrero observance to OLLU, where the tradition originated in the late 1970s as part of campus-based social justice initiatives. The event explores the lasting cultural, linguistic, and social impact of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) through scholarly presentations, community dialogue, cultural performances, and archival exhibits.

Highlights include discussions on language and identity, panels featuring Mexican American Studies scholars, an exhibit of original Segundo de Febrero materials from the OLLU Archives, and a community mural restoration project in collaboration with local partners.

The event is open to the public and invites students, faculty, and community members to engage with this living history and its continued relevance today.

View the schedule & Register for free

OLLU Celebrates $2 Million Raised and Launches Community Matching Challenge

Our Lady of the Lake University proudly celebrated a major milestone last Thursday, January 22, recognizing the successful completion of a $2 million fundraising goal achieved in 2025. The celebration brought together members of the OLLU community to reflect on the impact of collective generosity and to look ahead toward an ambitious new challenge.

During the event, the University President acknowledged the dedication and support of donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners who made this achievement possible. Building on that momentum, the President issued a call to action for the OLLU community to match the $2 million raised by the end of 2026—doubling the impact and further strengthening the University’s mission.

The celebration also featured remarks from OLLU student-athlete Katherine Delgadillo, who shared her perspective on how donor support directly impacts students and their experiences at the Lake.

“Your support places keys into students’ hands, keys that unlock opportunity, purpose, and hope…thank you for believing in students like me…” – Katherine Delgadillo

As the University looks ahead to 2026, this matching challenge serves as an invitation for the entire OLLU community to continue investing in the future of the Lake. Together, we can build on this momentum and create even greater opportunities for current and future Saints.

Make A Donation

Read the full story here.

Saints Stay Competitive in Physical Test Against LSU Shreveport

Our Lady of the Lake women’s basketball battled throughout the evening but came up short in a 78–61 loss to LSU Shreveport on Thursday night in Shreveport. Despite the final score, the Saints showed fight and composure against a physically aggressive opponent and remained competitive for much of the contest.

The Saints opened the game with confidence, moving the ball effectively and finding quality looks on the offensive end. Macie Moss set the tone early, attacking the defense and stretching the floor, while Alexandra Westerdijk Martin controlled the tempo with steady decision-making. Our Lady of the Lake matched LSU Shreveport possession for possession in the opening quarter and stayed within reach by playing disciplined basketball and limiting trips to the free-throw line for the hosts.

As LSU Shreveport increased defensive pressure, the Saints continued to respond with poise. Moss led all OLLU scorers with 19 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers. Westerdijk Martin followed with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, consistently creating opportunities for her teammates. Samantha Fields added 10 points, including two timely three-pointers, while Shayla Dede contributed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists while working relentlessly on both ends of the floor.

Defensively, Our Lady of the Lake competed hard against one of the top scorers in the conference. The Saints forced LSU Shreveport into contested shots and held them near the perimeter for long stretches. While turnovers proved costly at times, many came as a result of aggressive defense rather than lack of execution, and the Saints continued to fight through every possession.

Off the bench, Evangeline Hernandez provided an important spark, scoring five points in 14 minutes and adding energy when the Saints needed a lift. Amya Miller-Singleton contributed on the boards, helping OLLU battle in the paint against a larger lineup. Overall, the Saints shot an efficient 45.3 percent from the field and an impressive 85.7 percent from the free-throw line, reflecting strong offensive fundamentals.

Even as LSU Shreveport pulled ahead in the second half, Our Lady of the Lake never stopped competing, showing resilience and togetherness until the final buzzer. The Saints finished with 18 assists, a testament to their unselfish play and commitment to team basketball. While the result did not go their way, the performance highlighted the growth, effort, and determination of the OLLU program as it continues to build momentum moving forward. The Saints will be back in action Saturday against Texas A&M-Texarkana.

Lauren Reynard Honored with CSC Academic All-America Distinction

Lauren Reynard, a standout setter for the Our Lady of the Lake University Saints volleyball team, has been honored as a CSC Academic All-America selection after previously earning Academic All-District distinction from College Sports Communicators (CSC). This accolade recognizes her excellence both in the classroom and on the court, qualifying her to advance on the national ballot for CSC’s prestigious Academic All-America honors, which celebrate top student-athletes who excel academically while competing at a high level athletically. Reynard’s achievement highlights her strong academic performance and leadership as a key contributor to the Saints program.

Bishop’s Big Week Powers Pair of Conference Wins

Jaydin Morin Bishop earned Red River Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors following a standout stretch that helped lead his team to two impressive victories. His performance was highlighted by composure, efficiency, and leadership in key moments as his team defeated LSUA and LCU in consecutive games.

In a dramatic 67-65 win over LSUA, Bishop played a pivotal role in a 20-point comeback. He finished with 24 points and six rebounds, consistently delivering when his team needed him most. Bishop was flawless from the free throw line, converting all 12 of his attempts, a critical factor in closing the gap and securing the narrow victory. His ability to remain poised under pressure set the tone for the comeback and ultimately swung the momentum in his team’s favor.

Bishop followed that performance with another efficient outing in a 79-64 win over LCU. He scored 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while adding three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. His offensive efficiency and all-around contributions helped maintain control throughout the game and capped off a strong week. Across both contests, Bishop’s consistency and impact were instrumental, making him a deserving recipient of the conference’s weekly offensive honor.

Saints Use Hot Shooting to Defeat LCU

Our Lady of the Lake delivered an efficient offensive performance to defeat Louisiana Christian 79–64, using strong shooting and balanced scoring to pull away over the course of the game.

OLLU shot 59.2 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from three-point range, converting 10 three-pointers on 19 attempts. Jaydin Morin-Bishop led the Saints with 18 points, knocking down four shots from beyond the arc while shooting 6-of-8 overall. Isaiah Moore added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Barack Holland provided a spark off the bench with 11 points on 4-of-7 from the floor.

Kenyon Elliott contributed six points and a team-high six assists, helping facilitate an offense that totaled 18 assists on 29 made field goals. Arthur Celestin Jr. anchored the interior with eight rebounds, while OLLU finished with a 35–26 rebounding advantage and committed just 14 fouls.

Louisiana Christian was led by Bryce Weinmunson, who scored a game-high 21 points and added six rebounds and three steals. Justice Kelly followed with 14 points and six rebounds, while Corey Lombard Jr. and Tomario Thomas Jr. combined for 15 points off the bench. Despite shooting 30.8 percent from three-point range, LCU struggled to slow OLLU’s perimeter efficiency and transition scoring.

Defensively, the Saints forced 15 turnovers and limited Louisiana Christian to 37.7 percent shooting from the field. OLLU’s ability to score efficiently at all three levels and maintain control on both ends allowed the Saints to build and sustain their advantage en route to the 15-point victory. The Saints will be back in action on Thursday away against LSUS at 7:30 PM CDT.

Reminder: RSVP for Special Announcement Celebration on January 22

Faculty and staff are reminded to please RSVP by accepting the calendar invitation for the Special Announcement Celebration taking place on Thursday, January 22, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Sueltenfuss Library.

This special celebration will recognize an important milestone in support of Our Lady of the Lake University. Lunch will be provided, and we encourage all invited employees to attend.

If you have not yet responded, please be sure to accept the calendar invite to help us plan accordingly. We look forward to celebrating this exciting moment together as a campus community.

Campanas de América Valentine’s Day Concert: Get Your Tickets Before They Sell Out

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the beautiful sounds of Campanas de América at this special concert benefiting student scholarships at Our Lady of the Lake University.

This beloved annual performance has been a sold-out event in previous years, so attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Tickets are available online only and will not be sold at the door.

Proceeds from the event support the Sisters of Divine Providence Legacy Scholarship, which helps provide critical financial assistance to OLLU students. By attending, you’re not only enjoying an unforgettable musical experience—you’re also making a meaningful investment in our students and their futures.

Purchase tickets

Support the legacy scholarship

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate love, music, and the power of giving back to the OLLU community.

“A Comfort In The End” Art Exhibit Explores Change, Loss, and Renewal

A Comfort In The End Art Exhibit
Featuring Visual Arts Professors:

Professor Tori Quemada, MAE
Professor Mark Anthony Martinez, MFA

A Comfort In The End is a two-person exhibition, featuring works that speak to the inevitability of change.

Here, Professors Tori Quemada, MAE and Mark Anthony Martinez, MFA; combine concepts from two separate bodies of work that encourage their audiences to brace for inevitable change. Changes that can come with health scares, evolving relationships, or even growth! Acknowledging that change is not necessarily a bad thing; but to recognize change as a fact of life that we must all contend with – however it arrives.

Through Quemada’s animal portraits, the photos are taken in the final days (sometimes moments) of a subject’s life. Here, moments of strength and care are captured before the ultimate passing of the beloved pet. Quemada solemnly renders in black and white, a testament of an enduring love beyond the animal’s lifetime.

Additionally, this exhibition also highlights joys of reflection and potential for evolution after a moment of crisis or grief.

This can be seen in Martinez’ “asteroid forms” wherein these forms are rendered in neon magenta. A color that, while intense, can be perceived as festive and attention grabbing – intended to root an audience in their present moment. Indeed, the forms themselves may remind an audience of a certain food item enjoyed in youth (the hint being the boot shape).

The hope of the exhibition is that we share levity behind a phenomenon so heavy as change.

The end after all is just another beginning.