The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) volleyball team opened its 2009 season on the road on Aug. 21 with matches against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB). Both matches were played in Brownsville, Texas.

The Saints won its first match, against ERAU, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-11. UTB beat the Saints in the second match, 25-14, 25-15 and 25-12. Click here for match statistics.The Saints are coming off a 2008 season that saw them finish at 13-17, while finishing as the runner-up in the Association for Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference post-season, and finishing third in conference for the regular season. Although this year's Saints will feel the loss of all-conference libero Madison Madrid, they will take comfort in returning six starters and 10 letter winners. All-conference junior outside hitter Kelsey Johnson is joined by fellow all-conference selectee sophomore Liza Rodriguez.

Also returning this year are sophomore setter Elyse Escobar, junior outside hitter Lauren Eveler, sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Herrera and senior middle blocker Melanie Valenciana.

The top freshman newcomers joining this year's team are native San Antonians, Norma Fraga from Reagan High School, Desirea Aguilar from Southwest High School and Jasmine Price from O'Connor High School.

Rounding out the team are senior middle blocker Robyn Bush, freshman defensive specialist Autumn Carruthers, freshman outside hitter Monica De La Cruz, junior libero Melissa Hurtado, junior libero Sarah Lindsay and senior libero Danielle Otero.

Coach Mark Lee begins his third year with the team and is joined by first year assistant coach, Cristina C. Almeida.

This is the Saints' first season competing in the NAIA Red River Conference, which includes Bacone College from Muskogee, Okla.; Huston-Tillotson University from Austin, Texas; Jarvis Christian College from Hawkins, Texas; Paul Quinn College from Dallas, Texas College from Tyler, Texas, Southwestern Assemblies of God University from Waxahachie, Texas; Texas Wesleyan University from Fort Worth, Texas; the University of Brownsville; and Wiley College from Marshall, Texas.

The Saints will play their home opener at Mabee Gymnasium Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. against the University of St. Thomas. Other highlights on this year's schedule include home games against Laredo Community College on Sept. 2, Texas A&M University-Kingsville on Sept. 8, a double-header against Wiley College and Jarvis Christian College on Oct. 3 and a match against Bacone College on Oct. 31.

Photo: The Saints volleyball team prepares to leave on its first road trip of the fall 2009 season on the morning of Aug. 21. The squad traveled to Brownsville, Texas, to play Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the University of Texas at Brownsville.