SAN ANTONIO (Nov. 13, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) volleyball team narrowly missed capturing the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) regular-season title. Earlier in the season, the Saints split the series against Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT), and they split the series against Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in early November. These results determined the OLLU's second-place finish overall, with TAMUT capturing its first-ever title and XULA placing third. The Saints' performance in the regular season sets the stage for an exciting tournament.

Overall, the Saints had one more win and two fewer losses than TAMUT, but the Eagles lost just one conference game—to the Saints—to win the regular season.

The Eagles and Saints are now eagerly awaiting their opponents in the tournament semifinals scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15.

Head Coach Scott Mattera said, "We have been looking forward to this all year. We've had some bumps in the road this season but we always kept in mind that our opportunity at the conference tourney was always there. We've worked really hard for this and I think it's going to be an intense show Friday night in the semis and hopeful Saturday in the finals!"

Tournament schedule

The No. 4-seed Louisiana Christian University (LCU) will battle No. 5-seed Paul Quinn College (PQC) in the first quarterfinals match on Nov. 15 at 10:30 a.m. No. 3-seed XULA versus No. 6-seed Jarvis Christian University (JCU) follows at 1 p.m.

No. 1 seed TAMUT will play the winner of the first match at 4:30 p.m. in the semifinal match.  OLLU will face the winner of the second match at 7 p.m. The semifinals winners will advance to the championship match on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.

OLLU is hosting the tournament, and all matches will take place at Mabee Gymnasium.

History

The Saints have a strong history in the Red River Athletic Conference, having won the regular-season title eight times. They ended their season as postseason quarterfinalists in 2011 and 2012, semifinalists in 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2018, and finalists in 2008, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The women won the postseason tournament in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020. With this impressive track record, the Saints are well-positioned for the upcoming tournament.

OLLU season stats

In 29 matches this season, the Saints have played in 105 sets. Their stats are as follows:

• 1,391 kills/13.25 k/s
• 3,847 total attacks/.205
• 1,329 assists/12.66 a/s
• 181 service aces/1.72 sa/s
• 1,816 digs/17.30 d/s
• 1,908 receptions
• 110 block solos
• 142 block assists
• 181 total blocks/1.72 b/s

The Saints defeated Texas College 25-10, 25-5, 25-12 on Oct. 25. Last year, OLLU beat XULA 21-25, 25-5, 25-21, 25-16. The Saints have allowed just five points in a set, which is second-best in Head Coach Scott Mattera's coaching stint. They previously held Texas College to four points in 2019.

Mia Francis, Camila Ramirez, Lauren Reynard, Tina Trevino, and Victoria Urbanczyk have played in all 29 matches this season. Reynard has played in all but one set.

Ramirez leads the Saints with 325 kills and 3.19 k/s. She has the most total attacks, with 932. Reynard is the team leader in assists with 747 and averages 7.18 assists per set. She also dominates in service aces with 32 but is closely followed by Trevino, who has 30.

Trevino has 518 receptions and 586 digs – a new Saints record – for an average of 5.75 digs per set. Makaelyn Perez tallied 59 blocks, including 24 solos and 35 assists.  

Trevino leads the conference in digs and d/s. Ramirez is second in kills, while Francis is fifth. Reynard is third in conference in assists with 747.

OLLU finished the regular season with a 14-2 conference record and 21-8 overall.

Xavier University of Louisiana season stats

In 30 matches this season, the Gold Nuggets have played in 111 sets. Their stats are as follows:

• 1,285 kills/11.58 k/s
• 3,675 total attacks/.188
• 1,195 assists/10.76 a/s
• 194 service aces/1.75 sa/s
• 1,650 digs/14.86 d/s
• 2,058 receptions
• 77 block solos
• 310 block assists
• 232 total blocks
• 2.09 b/s

Kennedy Campbell, Bengisu Kazazlar, Taylor Parker, and Laila Person have played in all 30 matches. Parker has played in the most sets – 107 of 111. Kamea Uitenham leads the Gold Nuggets with 329 kills and 3.43 k/s. Kazazlar has assisted on 828 plays and averages 7.89 a/s. She also leads the team with 39 service aces and 0.37 sa/s. Ruxandra Flueras has 500 receptions and 424 digs. She averages 4.42 digs per set. Parker leads the squad with 132 total blocks.

Uitenham is the conference leader in kills, and is second in k/s. Parker is first in blocks and b/s with 1.23.

The Saints are 8-5 against XULA. The two teams played in five sets six times, with OLLU winning twice and XULA winning four times. Also, the two teams have played each other in the previous three seasons in the conference tournament finals. The Gold Nuggets won all three in five sets. XULA finished the regular season with a 13-3 record in conference and 16-14 overall.

Jarvis Christian University season stats

• 1,057 kills/10.36 k/s
• 2,847 total attacks/.205
• 977 assists/9.58 a/s
• 142 service aces/1.39 sa/s
• 1,209 digs/11.85 d/s
• 1,640 receptions
• 75 block solos
• 282 block assists
• 216 total blocks/2.12 b/s

Kiah Barron, Aubrey Jackson, Jahnaya Kelly, Aaronyana Wilson, and Mahogani Wilson have played in all 27 matches. Barron and M. Wilson have played in 100 of 102 sets. Barron leads the Bulldogs with 235 kills and 2.35 k/s. Jackson has amassed 477 assists with 4.82 a/s. She also leads the team with 32 service aces and 0.32 sa/s. Kelly has 356 receptions, while Kesmyre has 211 digs and averages 3.06 digs per frame. Barron has 96 total blocks for the Bulldogs.

Barron leads the RRAC in hitting percentage with .360.

The Saints are 25-0 against Jarvis. They have won all matches 3-0 except in 2019 (3-1) and 2022 (3-1), and this season, the Saints won 3-2. Jarvis finished the regular season with a 6-10 record in conference and 14-13 overall.

Live-streaming and stats

For links to the live streaming and stats, go here: https://www.redriverconference.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/2024_RRAC_Women-s_Volleyball_Championship