Category: Sports

OLLU Battles Through Season Finale Against Generals

New Orleans, LA- Our Lady of the Lake University’s women’s tennis team entered the matchup against Louisiana State University–Alexandria with determination, knowing they would be tested by one of the Red River Athletic Conference’s strongest programs. Despite the final 4–0 scoreline favoring LSU-A, the contest reflected moments of resilience and competitiveness from OLLU that went beyond the numbers.

In doubles play, OLLU showed early signs of cohesion, particularly from the pairing of Muller and Guerrero at the No. 2 position, where they were locked in a tight unfinished battle at 3–5 before play was halted. The No. 3 team of Laure and Peters also kept pressure on their opponents, battling through long rallies before falling 6–4. At the top spot, Pisar and Chambon faced a tough challenge against a disciplined LSU-A duo, ultimately dropping the match 6–2. While the doubles point slipped away, the effort across courts demonstrated OLLU’s willingness to compete point-for-point.

Singles play proved equally demanding. Guerrero at No. 1 and Pisar at No. 2 encountered opponents who capitalized on consistency and depth, but both OLLU players continued to fight through extended exchanges and difficult service games. At No. 3, Peters was engaged in one of the more competitive matchups of the day before it went unfinished, showing flashes of aggressive baseline play that kept the outcome uncertain. Laure and Muller also found themselves in unfinished contests, each pushing their matches into competitive stretches that reflected OLLU’s persistence even as the team result moved out of reach.

Although LSU-A ultimately secured the sweep, the match offered valuable experience for OLLU. Several courts featured tightly contested games and unfinished sets that suggested the scoreline did not fully capture the level of competition. For OLLU, the performance highlighted areas for growth while reinforcing the team’s ability to stay composed and engaged against a high-level conference opponent. 

The Saints finish the season 10-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference. 

Saints Move Past Dillard, Advance To Semifinals

Our Lady of the Lake secured a 4–2 victory over Dillard University, using a strong doubles performance and key singles wins to come out on top in conference play.

The Saints established early momentum in doubles. Fukushima and Chiao dominated at No. 1 with a 6–0 win over Pisar and Chambon. While Muller and Guerrero fell 3–6 at No. 2 to Homma and Pereira, Laure and Peters delivered a 6–3 victory over Peres and Hatem at No. 3 to clinch the doubles point and give Our Lady of the Lake a 2–1 lead.

In singles, the Saints continued to build on that advantage. Guerrero earned an important win at No. 1, battling past Chiao in a competitive three-set match, 7–6, 7–6, 6–1. At No. 2, Pisar was awarded the victory after Fukushima was forced to retire, adding another point for Our Lady of the Lake.

Dillard responded with a win at No. 3, where Pereira defeated Peters, but the Saints answered at No. 4 as Laure secured a hard-fought three-set victory over Homma, 6–1, 0–6, 6–1, to keep the momentum on their side.

With the match already in hand, Muller added a strong comeback win at No. 5, rallying for a 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 victory over Peres, and Chambon closed out play with a 6–1, 6–4 win over Hatem at No. 6.

Our Lady of the Lake’s depth and resilience were on full display, as the team capitalized on doubles success and delivered in key singles moments to earn the 4–2 victory.

Saints Sweep Rams Ahead Of Regular Season Finale

The Our Lady of the Lake Saints baseball team earned a doubleheader sweep over Huston-Tillotson, winning Game 1 by a score of 10-1 and Game 2 by a score of 11-4, behind consistent pitching performances and balanced offensive production across both contests.

In Game 1, the Saints took control early and never trailed, scoring in multiple innings while applying steady pressure throughout the lineup. Joshua Milton led the offense with three RBIs on two hits, while Diego Zuniga and Christian Martinez each contributed two RBIs. Additional run production came from Jacob Cueva, Aiden Gonzalez, and Brett Atkinson, as the Saints capitalized on 10 walks and limited defensive miscues by Huston-Tillotson.

Manuel Flores delivered a strong start on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out five and walking one. His efficiency and ability to work ahead in counts kept Huston-Tillotson from generating sustained offensive momentum. The Rams lone run came on an RBI by Jacob Perez.

Game 2 featured a more competitive start before Our Lady of the Lake again pulled away for an 11-4 victory. Huston-Tillotson produced five hits and four runs, with RBI contributions from Joseph Brown, Kendall Brown, Jacob Perez, and Israel Brenes. The Rams also added stolen bases from Joseph Brown, Jeremiah Wiley, and Brenes, but were unable to sustain scoring opportunities against the Saints’ pitching staff.

Offensively, the Saints once again displayed depth and situational hitting. Benjamyn Hovda, Drew Saucedo, Joshua Milton, Christian Martinez, Juan Garcia, Brett Atkinson, and Alex Rodriguez all contributed to the scoring output. Saucedo and Alex Rodriguez each drove in multiple runs, while Martinez and Hovda provided key extra-base production and run support throughout the lineup. The Saints also benefited from aggressive baserunning and timely execution with runners in scoring position.

On the mound, Mason Ruiz started for the Saints, working 3.2 innings while striking out five. Xavior Salazar earned the win in relief, followed by effective appearances from Christian Perez and Nolan Nicholson, as the bullpen limited Huston-Tillotson over the final innings to secure the victory.

For Huston-Tillotson, Bryce Sanchez started and was followed by Anthony Larzabal and Cullen Lee. The staff combined for seven strikeouts but struggled with command, issuing eight walks and allowing 11 runs in the contest.

Across both games, Our Lady of the Lake combined strong pitching performances with disciplined offensive execution, outscoring Huston-Tillotson 21-5 over the doubleheader to secure the sweep.

Spirit Continues Legacy At NDA/NCA Collegiate Nationals

The return to NCA/NDA Nationals in Daytona Beach marked another significant chapter for OLLU Dance and Cheer, a program that has established itself as a consistent presence among the nation’s top collegiate teams. Competing in an event that brought together over 1,500 teams, 75,000 athletes, and representation from 45 states across three days, the level of competition remained exceptionally high, demanding precision, consistency, and composure at every stage.

Following a national championship the previous year, OLLU Cheer entered the NAIA Game Day division with a clear understanding of the expectations associated with their program. Their performance reflected strong dedication, effective crowd-leading ability, and a disciplined approach throughout. Earning a score of 80.0875, they secured a second-place finish behind Texas Wesleyan. The result highlights both the competitive nature of the division and OLLU’s continued position among its top programs.

OLLU Dance also demonstrated a solid performance at the national level, finishing 7th overall with a score of 73.95 in the NAIA Team Performance Division. In a field characterized by technical difficulty and creative choreography, the team maintained a high standard of execution and synchronization. Their placement reflects both the depth of talent within the division and the program’s ongoing commitment to growth and refinement.

Overall, OLLU Dance and Cheer once again performed at a level consistent with a nationally competitive program. Their results at Daytona reinforce a strong foundation and position them well for continued success in future national competitions.

OLLU Women’s Tennis Climbs to No. 15 In Latest Poll

The top eight teams remained unchanged in the latest NAIA Women’s Tennis Top 25, with Keiser (Fla.) continuing to lead the way at No. 1 with 300 points and 11 first-place votes. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Tennessee Wesleyan held steady at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, as the top tier of the poll remained intact. 

Outside of that group, St. Thomas (Fla.) delivered the most notable climb, jumping from No. 13 into the top 10 at No. 9. Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) also moved up one spot to No. 15, while Indiana Wesleyan inched back into the top 20 at No. 20 after sitting at No. 21 in the previous poll.

Further down the rankings, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) entered the poll at No. 21 after previously receiving votes, marking the largest overall jump this week. Coastal Georgia also continued its upward movement, climbing from No. 25 to No. 22.

The final poll will be released on Wednesday, April 22.

OLLU’s Thibeaux Tabbed As RRAC Track & Field Athlete Of The Week

RRAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week – Willis Thibeaux – Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)

OLLU freshman Willis Thibeaux participated in the Cactus Cup hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville. He placed first among NCAA D2 schools and set an OLLU record in the long jump with a mark of 7.61m among a field of 15. He finished second in the triple jump with a 14.09m mark. Six men participated in this event.

Thibeaux is a native of Katy, Texas.

OLLU Continues Outdoor Season with Strong Showings in Back-to-Back Meets

The Our Lady of the Lake Saints men’s track and field put together a competitive stretch of performances across two meets in early April, opening at the Texas Relays before continuing their outdoor campaign at the Bobcat Invitational.

At the Texas Relays in Austin, the Saints faced one of the nation’s deepest fields and delivered several notable efforts. Freshman Deven Langston led the sprint group with a wind-aided 10.49 in the 100 meters, while senior Sean Lin followed with an 11.18. Langston also teamed with Jesus Riefkohl-Delgado, Lin, and Isaiah Huerta in the 4×100-meter relay, where the group clocked 42.49 in preliminary action.

In the middle-distance events, Isai Moran recorded a strong seventh-place finish in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:01.67. He later returned to anchor the 4×800-meter relay squad of Joseph Gonzalez, Jose Perez, and Joshua Veliz to a fifth-place finish in 7:43.64, marking one of the team’s top relay performances of the meet. Freshman Damian DeLeon added a qualifying mark in the 110-meter hurdles, running 14.41 to meet the NAIA B standard, and contributed to the 4×400-meter relay alongside Edgar Zuniga, Huerta, and Julian Verastegui, which posted a time of 3:19.16.

The Saints carried that momentum into the Bobcat Invitational, where they showcased depth across sprints, distance, and field events. Houston Ifah led the team in the 100 meters with a time of 10.89. In the 200 meters, Joseph Gonzalez turned in an impressive 21.26, while Riefkohl-Delgado followed with a 22.05. Verastegui added a solid performance in the 400 meters, clocking 48.98.

OLLU’s distance group continued to produce steady results, with Jose Saucedo and Anthony Alaniz finishing back-to-back in the 1500 meters in 4:06.70 and 4:06.87, respectively. Diego Moran delivered one of the top distance finishes of the meet, placing eighth in the 5000 meters with a time of 15:12.59. Saucedo also doubled in the 3000-meter steeplechase, finishing eighth in 10:01.78.

In the field events, freshman Damarian Alfred cleared 1.91 meters (6-3.25) in the high jump to lead the Saints.

OLLU Baseball Closes Series Strong with 11-2 Statement Win

Our Lady of the Lake put together a resilient and competitive series against Louisiana Christian, closing it out with an emphatic performance that highlighted the Saints offensive firepower, pitching depth, and ability to respond to adversity.

The series opened as a pitcher’s duel, with the Saints held to three hits despite a perfect day at the plate from Benjamyn Hovda, who accounted for all of OLLU’s offense. Even in a 3-0 setback, the Saints remained within striking distance throughout, thanks to a steady outing from Donovan Gamez and key defensive plays, including a momentum-shifting double play turned by the infield. The result did not reflect the competitiveness of the Saints, who showed discipline and flashes of offensive potential.

That potential came to life in the second game, as OLLU’s lineup delivered a breakout performance with 15 hits. Jack Kalisky paced the offense with four hits, while Drew Saucedo and Aiden Gonzalez each contributed multi-hit efforts to keep pressure on Louisiana Christian pitching. Jacob Cueva drove in two runs, and the Saints consistently created opportunities through aggressive baserunning and situational execution, including multiple sacrifice bunts that kept innings alive. Despite the offensive surge, the game turned on a late swing from Louisiana Christian, but OLLU’s ability to adjust and produce at a high level was evident.

The Saints saved their most complete performance for the finale, erupting for 11 runs on 15 hits in a commanding victory. Saucedo set the tone at the top of the lineup, reaching base consistently and scoring three times, while Kalisky continued his dominant series with four more hits and three RBIs. Joshua Milton delivered a key extra-base hit and drove in two runs, and both Diego Zuniga and Cueva added two RBIs apiece as the lineup produced from top to bottom. Hovda remained a catalyst, contributing multiple hits, driving in a run, and applying pressure on the basepaths.

On the mound, Noah Ferraro anchored the Saints with a strong six-inning performance, limiting Louisiana Christian to just one run while navigating traffic with composure. Xavior Salazar and Nolan Nicholson combined to close out the game effectively, preserving the lead and securing the series finale with confidence.

Defensively, the Saints backed their pitching staff with consistent execution, turning multiple double plays throughout the series and showing strong communication across the infield. The combination of timely defense and relentless offense in the final game underscored the team’s growth over the course of the series.

Saints Rise To No. 7 In Latest NAIA Coaches Poll

Oregon Tech slides into No. 1 behind six first-place votes in the third NAIA Softball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll this season. The 30-4 Owls are on a three-game winning streak and sit at 13-2 in Cascade action so far this season. Madonna (Mich.) and Oklahoma City are knotted at second in the third poll with nearly identical records. The Crusaders are up three spots from No. 5, and OCU is up two spots from No. 4. Teams first through sixth all received a share of first-place votes this week, with Eastern Oregon earning five, Southern Oregon earning two, and Southeastern (Fla.) picking up the final first-place vote available.

Two teams joined the top 25 in the third installment with Coastal Georgia and Benedictine (Kan.) earning spots at No. 23 and No. 25, respectively. The top 25 continues to shift with each installment, but among the shuffle, three teams maintained from the second release with No. 6 Southeastern, No. 10 Missouri Baptist, and No. 21 Texas A&M University – Texarkana, who now holds sole possession of the 21st spot.

Saints Have Stellar Performance At Bobcat Invite & Texas Relays

The Our Lady of the Lake Saints women’s track and field continued its outdoor season with a competitive two-meet stretch, opening at the Texas Relays before returning to action at the Bobcat Invitational.

At the Texas Relays in Austin, the Saints were led by freshman Alex Wells, who posted a time of 12.11 in the 100 meters against a deep collegiate field. In the distance events, senior Liliana Hernandez turned in a top-10 finish in the 1500 meters, placing eighth in 4:59.59.

OLLU also saw solid relay performances, highlighted by the 4×100-meter relay team of Nataley Doka, Wells, Sa’Nya Auguste, and Jadae Freeman, which ran 49.01 in preliminary competition. The 4×800-meter relay squad of Monica Sanchez, Mia Curiel, Hernandez, and Madison Perez added a 10th-place finish with a time of 9:36.30.

In the field events, Lawren Tanner delivered one of the team’s top marks of the meet, placing 12th in the long jump with a leap of 5.57 meters (18-3.25). Jeslynn Flores also competed in the high jump.

The Saints carried that experience into the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos, where they produced a number of steady performances across multiple event groups. Samantha Solis led the team in the 100 meters with a time of 13.63, while Morghan Neely and Brianna Rodriguez competed in the 200 meters, posting times of 26.00 and 28.33, respectively.

Rodriguez returned in the 400 meters with a time of 1:03.74, while freshman Sadie Romero led the team in the open 400 with a 59.08 performance. In the middle-distance events, Daylah Vega and Claudia Lopez recorded times of 2:31.41 and 2:33.29 in the 800 meters.

The Saints showed depth in the 1500 meters, led by Mia Curiel‘s 4:58.07, followed closely by Zaddie Santacruz (5:01.54) and Vega (5:10.31). Leilani Leza and Lopez rounded out the group with times of 5:24.34 and 5:35.47, respectively.

Kymberli Cavazos represented OLLU in the hurdles, running 18.25 in the 100-meter hurdles and 1:11.33 in the 400-meter hurdles.