Category: Sports

The Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference are moving forward with a collaborative effort designed to expand leadership opportunities and strengthen support for Senior Woman Leaders across both leagues. This joint initiative signifies a unified commitment to elevating women in collegiate athletics administration and creating a more connected, empowered network of leaders within member institutions.

Central to this collaboration is the formation of a cross-conference leadership team composed of three highly accomplished administrators. Their combined expertise, dedication, and vision will guide the development of a shared structure that enhances communication, professional growth, and visibility for women serving in SWL roles. Among them, Haley Holzem stands out as a driving force behind the effort. As Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Title IX Deputy, and Senior Woman Leader at Our Lady of the Lake University, she has spent seven years contributing to the advancement of her institution and the Red River Athletic Conference. As the current SWL Chair for the RRAC, her leadership is instrumental in shaping the direction and cohesion of this new initiative.

Working alongside her is Shannon Glendening, Athletics Office Administrator and Senior Woman Leader at Central Christian College of Kansas. Beginning her role in August 2025 and serving as the SWL Chair for the Sooner Athletic Conference, she brings a collaborative mindset and a strong interest in building meaningful cross-conference relationships. Her perspective is essential as the two conferences work to develop shared opportunities and strengthen community among SWLs.

Also serving on the leadership team is Fachaitte Kinslow, Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance and Senior Woman Leader at Texas A&M University–Texarkana. Having joined TAMUT in May after four and a half years at Langston University as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and SWL, she offers deep experience in cultivating leadership pathways for women in sports administration. Her role as the inaugural Chair of the SWLA Leadership Association further connects this collaborative effort to broader national conversations about elevating women in athletics leadership.

Together, Haley Holzem, Shannon Glendening, and Fachaitte Kinslow will guide the joint initiative between the Red River Athletic Conference and the Sooner Athletic Conference with a unified vision centered on opportunity, visibility, and support. Their combined leadership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the Senior Woman Leader designation and ensuring that women across both conferences have access to the resources and community they need to thrive.

This collaboration marks an important step forward for both conferences and for the SWLs who serve within them. As the initiative develops, it promises to enhance communication, deepen connections, and expand leadership development opportunities for women throughout the two leagues. John Martin encourages all Senior Woman Leaders to engage with this effort and to reach out with questions as the collaboration continues to grow.

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Our Lady of the Lake University junior guard Shayla Dede has earned recognition as the Red River Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week after a standout stretch of performances that showcased her consistency, efficiency, and growing leadership on the court. During the week of Dec. 1–7, Dede delivered two strong outings that not only highlighted her scoring ability but also her versatility as an all-around contributor.

In OLLU’s 73–61 victory over Southwest, Dede played one of her most complete games of the season. She scored 16 points while dominating the boards with an impressive 8 rebounds, a rare feat for a guard. Her efficiency was evident as she converted 5-of-12 field goals, including a three-pointer, and remained perfect at the free-throw line, sinking all five attempts. She also added four assists in 34 minutes, helping guide the Saints to their highest-scoring win of the season.

Dede elevated her performance even further in the matchup against North Texas-Dallas, recording a career-high 24 points despite the Saints falling 73–63. She delivered an exceptional shooting night, hitting 5-of-6 from the field and going a flawless 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Her aggressive play earned her 13 trips to the free-throw line, where she converted 11 attempts. Along with her scoring burst, she contributed four rebounds, an assist, and four steals, demonstrating her competitiveness on both ends of the floor.

Across the season, Dede has emerged as OLLU’s leading scorer with 116 total points, averaging 14.5 per game. She also leads the Saints in free throws made, assists, and steals, underscoring her importance to the team’s overall structure and pace. While the Saints stand at 2–6 overall and 1–2 in conference play, Dede’s performances continue to provide a strong foundation as the team works to build momentum. Her latest recognition as Offensive Player of the Week reflects not only her individual excellence but also her growing impact as a catalyst for the Saints development moving forward.

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Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a steady and well-balanced performance to earn a 77–59 victory over Southwest, using strong rebounding, efficient bench production, and disciplined defense to guide the win.

Arthur Celestin Jr. set the tone for the Saints with a dominant effort on the glass. He finished with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, controlling the interior and providing second-chance opportunities that helped OLLU maintain momentum throughout the night. Isaiah Moore added another consistent effort with 10 points and six rebounds, contributing timely scoring and energy on both ends of the floor.

Off the bench, Barack Holland provided a major spark that shifted the rhythm of the game. He delivered 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a three-pointer, and added two assists and a pair of steals. His efficiency gave OLLU valuable separation when the game tightened. Santiago Ochoa also made a significant impact with nine points and three steals, while Matthew Gonzalez knocked down three three-pointers to finish with nine points of his own.

Jaydin Morin-Bishop and Devontae Da Costa added six points each, with Da Costa hitting a key three-pointer and working effectively on the boards. Kenyon Elliott contributed four points and two assists while providing steady defense in the backcourt. As a team, OLLU shot 40.3 percent from the field and outrebounded Southwest 44–40, using their depth and physicality to wear down the opposition.

OLLU capitalized on Southwest’s mistakes, turning defensive pressure into transition chances and controlling the tempo in the second half. With balanced scoring from the starting lineup and impactful contributions from the bench, the Saints secured a convincing conference win built on poise, energy, and consistent execution. The Saints will play again Saturday against UNT-Dallas at 3:00 PM CDT. It will be Youth Day at the Mabee Gymnasium. 

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Our Lady of the Lake University delivered a composed and disciplined performance to secure a 73–61 victory over Southwest, powered by efficient shooting, strong rebounding, and balanced contributions across the roster.

Zariah Todd set the tone early for the Saints, showcasing her efficiency from the field. She finished with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including four three-pointers, and added four rebounds. Her perimeter accuracy helped OLLU establish momentum in a game where every offensive rhythm mattered.

Shayla Dede complemented Todd’s output with a versatile, steady performance. She recorded 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, controlling the pace and consistently creating opportunities for her teammates. Inside, Alexandra Westerdijk Martin was a dominant presence, securing a game-high 16 rebounds to go with 12 points. Her work on the offensive glass, six boards, provided critical second-chance scoring that helped OLLU maintain separation as the game progressed.

Isabella Jaramillo added nine points and six assists, contributing both as a scorer and facilitator, while the Saints’ bench offered timely support. Amya Miller-Singleton gave OLLU an efficient spark with 10 points in nine minutes, converting five of her six attempts. Evangeline Hernandez added four points and a steal in 20 minutes, reinforcing the defensive effort. Southwest shot 37.7 percent from the field and just 16.7 percent from three-point range, struggling to match OLLU’s offensive balance.

The Saints, meanwhile, shot 41.4 percent from the floor and 78.3 percent from the free-throw line, maximizing their opportunities and limiting mistakes with only 10 turnovers compared to Southwest’s 15. Their defensive effort held Southwest to a single three-pointer, while OLLU connected on seven from long range.

With strong execution on both ends and contributions from every position, OLLU’s win reflected a complete team effort, one that showcased poise, efficiency, and resilience from start to finish. The Saints will play against Saturday against UNT-Dallas at 1:00 PM CDT. It is Youth Day.

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Preseason All-Americans for the 2026 NAIA Baseball season are in, headlined by five players who appeared in the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series, in Lewiston, Idaho. 

Hope International (Calif.), a World Series qualifier from last season, led all teams with three honorees, including Josh Landry, a Second-Team NAIA All-American in 2025. Tennessee Wesleyan, another Series team from 2025, put two players on the 2026 Preseason list, including returning First-Team All-American Kolton Reynolds. Concordia (Neb.) was the only other team with multiple selections, placing two on the Preseason team. 

Preseason All-Americans are selected annually by the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association (NAIA-BCA) All-America Committee. The list is a combination of two catchers, four outfielders, four starting pitchers, a relief pitcher, one designated hitter, and five infielders. 

In all, 10 NAIA conferences are represented, led by four selections from the Great Southwest Athletic Conference (GSAC).

Player		Institution	Position	Year	Hometown
Tyler Renn		Columbia (Mo.)	C	Sr.	Jefferson City, Mo.
Camden Karlin		Baker (Kan.)	C	Jr.	Lawrence, Kan.
Colby Moran		Hope International (Calif.)	1B	Sr.	Murrieta, Calif.
Jared Mack		Tabor (Kan.)	2B	Sr.	Missouri City, Texas
Josh Shelly		Tennessee Wesleyan	3B	Sr.	Houma, La.
Eliomar Otero		Northwestern Ohio	SS	Sr.	San Lorenzo, P.R.
Sam Gladd		Taylor (Ind.)	INF	Sr.	Columbia City, Ind.
Jack Kalisky		Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)	DH	Sr.	San Antonio, Texas.
David Shackleford		Hope International (Calif.)	OF	Jr.	La Habra, Calif.
Kolton Reynolds		Tennessee Wesleyan	OF	Jr.	Huntsville, Ark.
Ty Stepek		Madonna (Mich.)	OF	Jr.	White Lake, Mich.
Ty Beck		The Master’s (Calif.)	OF	Sr.	Lebanon, Ohio
Josh Landry		Hope International (Calif.)	P	Sr.	Long Beach, Calif.
Alex Johnson		Concordia (Neb.)	P	Sr.	Olathe, Kan.
Colby Reynolds		Johnson (Tenn.)	P	Jr.	Knoxville, Tenn.
Brian Ereu		USAO (Okla.)	P	Jr.	Caracas, Venezuela
Daiten Schmidt		Concordia (Neb.)	RP	Sr.	Hickman, Neb.

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The Our Lady of the Lake University men’s and women’s basketball teams will host two themed home events this week at Mabee Gymnasium, beginning with an “ugly sweater” night on Thursday as the Saints face Southwest as they go into conference action. The women’s game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to participate by wearing their most creative holiday sweaters to help create a festive atmosphere as OLLU takes the court.

The week’s promotions continue on Saturday with “Youth Day” during the Saints matchups against UNT Dallas. The women’s team will tip off at 1:00 p.m., and the men’s game will follow at 3:00 p.m. Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to enjoy autograph sessions with the players as well as photo opportunities on the court, offering a memorable experience and a chance to engage with the teams.

OLLU invites students, families and community members to take part in both themed game days and support the Saints as they compete in this week’s doubleheaders.

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The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) proudly announces the 2025 NAIA Scholar-Athletes for fall sports. This honor recognizes student-athletes in each of the fall sports who have excelled academically, including football, men’s cross country, men’s soccer, women’s cross country, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.

To qualify as an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, appear on the eligibility certificate for their sport, and have attended their institution for at least one full year. This year, the list features an impressive number of student-athletes who have met these rigorous standards.

Women’s soccer highlights the field with 1,606 scholar-athletes, ahead of men’s soccer (1,345), women’s volleyball (1,231), football (1,129), women’s cross country (617) and men’s cross country (558). Twenty-nine Saints across these sports received NAIA Scholar-Athlete Honors.

• Angela Garcia Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Anisia Serrano Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Cade Ryan Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Carly Dossett Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Chloe Conn Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Cristian Govea Mireles Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Danilo Marinho de Figueiredo Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Eleonora Diversi Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Gabrielle Deleon Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Gabrielle Pace Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Grace Reed Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Jordan Betterton Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Juan Hernandez Salamanca Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Julia Anguiano Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Kaitlyn Olivas Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Katherine Delgadillo Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Kevin Zamora Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Kira Brown Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Lauren Reynard Our Lady of the Lake University Graduate Student Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Leah Tapia Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Madison Perez Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Cross Country Red River Athletic Conference
• Mariana Medrano Sanchez Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Mia Perez Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Mikayla Arce Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Romualdo Gonzalez Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Men’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Sabastian Moreno Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Men’s Cross Country Red River Athletic Conference
• Sadie Rios Our Lady of the Lake University Sophomore Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference
• Samantha Watson Our Lady of the Lake University Junior Women’s Volleyball Red River Athletic Conference
• Sara Garza Our Lady of the Lake University Senior Women’s Soccer Red River Athletic Conference

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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.

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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 

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