SAN ANTONIO (May 19, 2022) – Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) welcomes new women's basketball Head Coach Tanya Ray. Ray starts her tenure today after a three-year stint as the assistant coach at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), an NCAA D1 school located in North San Antonio. She takes over the reins for OLLU's most successful team that boasts a 300-98 record in 13 seasons and has the highest finish of any other team in OLLU history. In 2019, the Saints finished in the Fab Four round of the NAIA National Championships after a 28-8 record and 16-2 in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The team has also earned NAIA Scholar Team recognition for three consecutive years.
Since the inaugural season in 2009-2010, the team has qualified for the RRAC postseason 12 of 13 seasons, missing out just one year after opting out of postseason play in 2019-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In those 12 seasons, the Saints have won eight regular-season championships and four tournament titles, and they have qualified for nationals nine times. In those nine appearances, the Saints finished their season in the opening round five times and the round of 16 three times. In 2020, the Saints were on their way to the national tournament when they had to retreat back home after the rest of the postseason was canceled due to COVID-19.
Athletic Director Shane Hurley commented, "We are excited to welcome Tanya Ray to the coaching staff. She brings an abundance of experience with her from various collegiate leagues, including NCAA DI and DII universities. Tanya has an excellent track record of developing programs over the years, and we look forward to having her experience guide the development of our well-respected women's basketball program."
(Photo courtesy of UIW Sports Information.)