TEXAS TEXASA&M A&MUNIVERSITY–CORPUS UNIVERSITY–CORPUSCHRISTI CHRISTI || ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM ISLANDWAVESNEWS.COM || VOLUME VOLUME26 26ISSUE ISSUE31 20 || 11.12.15 08.27.15
SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONS
See ISLANDERS on page 12
Singing pirates invade Island
photo by JAMIE FINK
Opera workshop performs ‘Pirates of Penzance’ by JONATHAN FORNEY staff writer
O
n Oct. 29-30, the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Opera Workshop put on its performance of “The Pirates of Penzance,” to a full house inside the Performing Arts Center. The performance was the byproduct of a semester’s worth of rehearsal and practice from the students and faculty involved. Running the ship was the director of the Opera Workshop, Cassi Torres McNabb, who directed the light opera. McNabb also acted in the show as one of the police officers. “We put on a show every semester,” McNabb said. “It’s our culminating performance at the end of
the semester.” This year was the first time the music department has put on a performance of “The Pirates of Penzance” also called “The Slave of Duty”, which was originally written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in 1879. The performance itself was the result of the combined efforts of more than 30 students, ranging from its cast, orchestra, stage management, and more. Focusing on themes of love and duty the show also had plenty of humor in addition to its drama and suspense. Spanning two acts and more than 20 songs, there was no shortage of content for the audience to enjoy. The show is classified as a light opera, which was a predecessor to the genre of musical theater be-
cause not all of its dialogue was sang. However there were plenty of songs that got stuck in audience member’s heads. Performers did not have microphones so they had to project their voices to the audience often in combination with the orchestra on stage. Musically, the orchestra featured 15 members who played during set changes to set the mood and of course to give a melody to the cast’s musical numbers. In terms of setting the show’s crew traversed the open seas, islands and town squares. Opera workshop students personally brought in different props and equipment between scenes to aid in the storytelling. Audience members gave the cast a standing ovation following
their performance as the performers joined hands and took a bow. The culmination of their semester-long efforts was overwhelming approval and applause. Audience members will have to wait until the spring for another performance by the Opera Workshop. “It was fun to see the dancers doing something they enjoyed doing,” said sophomore computer science major Josiah Anderson said. Anderson came out to support a friend of his in the cast. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Opera Workshop is a course that teaches basic acting skills to students, as well as resume building and audition booking assistance for vocal performing see PIRATES on page 8
Here, the doctor waits on you. Staples@Saratoga | Staples@Everhart | SPID@Ennis Joslin (Jan.)
361.991 .0911 mdpremier.com
24/7 advanced care for today’s emergencies.
INDEX OPINION 2,3 | NEWS 4,5 | CAMPUS 6,7 | CITY 8 | ENTERTAINMENT 9 | SPORTS 10,11,12
2
opinion
ISLAND WAVES
11.12.2015
On-Campus job leads to career
by ABBEY WEAVER staff writer
a student publication of
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
island waves staff JAMIE FINK
editor-in-chief
ALEICHIA WILLIAMS web editor
KELSEY FLORES copy editor
GERI LEMMONS
features reporter
KACI ALVAREZ
features reporter
ISAAC PAGE
sports reporter
ABBEY WEAVER sports reporter
JONATHAN FORNERY news reporter
SAMANTHA MAHLER
entertainment reporter
ELI T. BERKE
photographer
IZZY SNEED
photographer/cartoonist
MIKAYLA GONZALEZ layout assistant
KARA HERRERA layout assistant
WENDY MOORE faculty adviser
contact us 6300 Ocean Drive Unit 5783 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 825-5862 write us a letter Island Waves accepts letters no longer than 250 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to the editor via email at editor@tamucc.edu. about island waves The Island Waves is a student-produced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions. Island Waves is supported by student fees and advertising sales. Any student or University employee may submit material for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor.
T
uition fees, student loans, rent, groceries, the expenses of being a college student can pile up. Maybe your parents help you out but they are not an unlimited credit card. Your loans can turn into a debt that follows you for the rest of your life. If you have given this any thought then you have probably considered getting a job. But transportation, time, and classes make even an on-campus job seem difficult to handle. You want to get a jump start on loans or even just have some extra spending money here and there but how will you make time to get a job? You might be asking yourself similar questions. However the truth is shuffling a little time out of your week for work can have many more benefits other than just some extra cash in your pocket. Senior mechanical engineering major Justin Bustos has a lot of advice on how to manage time with school and work and why having a job in college can be really beneficial. Bustos, while taking on the difficult classes of an
engineering major, is also involved in many other organizations and activities. This dedicated Islander has a lot on his plate including the Honors Program, Student Government Association, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, employment at the Chickfil-A in the Cove, and maintaining a 3.5 GPA. Bustos was a dedicated employee for Chick-fil-A in his hometown, San Antonio, and hopes to work for corporate Chick-fil-A in the future. He even received the Chick-fil-A leadership scholarship from the company. Just like any other college student, Bustos has loans to pay for and puts part of his paycheck towards paying those off but he also knows how important this job is for his career at corporate Chickfil-A in the future. “I wanted to continue with the company and their training,” Bustos said. “I want to Franchise a Chick-fil-A and in order to do that I need to be constantly working within the chain.” Bustos explains that being able to work on campus and work towards his career goals is convenient. And although he admits that 15 hours a week working on top of his
other responsibilities can sometimes get tough but in the end he knows its only helping him. “I have to give and take,” Bustos said. “I have to stay up late studying some nights, but I need the extra money so it’s worth it.” Although Bustos makes balancing many activities easy, freshman education major Sabrina Hernandez has a different perspective on working as a full time student. Hernandez looked into on campus jobs but decided against it and was not able to get a job off campus due to lack of transportation. She explains that she does not regret her decision but plans on getting a job at HEB after getting her license over winter break. Since she is only on a leave of absence from the company she feels that it is the right place for her.
Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue? Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Have an Issue?
“I think a job is important,” Hernandez said. “But if you have another way of getting money I suggest holding off on a job so you can focus on school.” With the perspectives from both Bustos and Hernandez, its easy to see how previous work can help you in getting a job in college and potentially set a path for even more important jobs in the future. Both students agreed that it can be done and it is very beneficial to teach you about time management, responsibility, and simultaneously earn money.
Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Hav Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha Have an Opinion? Have a Concern? Have a Question? Have an Idea? Ha
Got Opinions?
Send letters to the Editor: Editor@tamucc.edu
3
opinion
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Be yourself, be bea-YOU-tiful by SAMANTHA MAHLER staff writer
A
nyone who keeps up with pop culture knows Zendaya Coleman. One of many childhood stars product of Disney and she is now most well-known for her fight for selfacceptance. Collaboration with toy companies, such as Barbie, has given her a platform to use her voice to teach this value to a multitude of age groups. Recently, Coleman was featured in the November issue of Modeliste Magazine. Readers of the magazine praised Colemanfor looking gorgeous as always. However Coleman saw things a little bit different. A photograph featured inside the magazine was photo shopped to make the 19 year-old thinner. The ever-outspoken Coleman who has famously released public statements in the past about her appearance took it upon herself to release the untouched shot to Instagram. “These are the things that make women self conscious, that create the unrealistic ideals of beauty that we have,” said Coleman in her Instagram caption. “Anyone who knows who I am knows I stand for honest and pure self love.” In the same caption Coleman revealed that Modeliste Magazine has since taken down the retouched images. As a matter of fact, the front page of the magazine’s website features links to articles and videos with titles such as “Letter from the Editor: Thank you Zendaya”, “Zendaya graces Modeliste’s November issue cover. The unedited edit
coming soon!” and “Zendaya giving back with Modeliste Magazine in Puerto Vallarta.” Living in the digital age has its downsides when it comes to accepting true beauty. Women’s bodies are consistently bashed on social media sites for being too thin, too thick, too muscular, etc. However there is something to be celebrated for women who use these same websites to push the boundaries of what is “socially acceptable”. A multitude of inspiring women and young girls are working towards a happier and healthier world that ignores society’s unfair beauty standards. Enter Tess Holliday a plus-size model who became the largest (and shortest) model to be signed by a mainstream agency earlier this year. Models signed to plussize agencies are at least five feet eight inches and range between U.S. sizes eight to 16. Holliday is five feet five inches tall and a size 22. Similar to Coleman, Holliday has quite the social media following with over 1 million followers on both Facebook and Instagram. A common theme to her posts is the #EffYourBeautyStandards, which is a body positive campaign that she started herself. In a recent Instagram post, Holliday admitted that she supports minimal photo shopping, adding that doing something as simple as wearing makeup and using a wind machine could be considered a form of body alteration. “I don’t believe in using it to distort someone’s body or make
them slimmer, but to smooth lines in clothes, or amping up the colors.. Hell yes!” said Holliday. “Have any of you ever used a filter on Instagram? *gasp!* That is the same thing.” Self-love and body positivity are quite possibly two of the most important #Trending topics for this generation. Millennials are notorious for pushing the envelope of what is accepted. With social media apps this can begin and be spread in a variety of ways.
It starts with campaigns such as The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, or the female empowerment ads such as Always’ #LikeAGirl, and with understanding that beauty is not a number. In today’s society young girls grow up feeling uncomfortable in their own skin rather than enjoying the beauty of childhood. The time for positive change is now. A world in which all bodies, regardless of shape or size, are loved. That’s a movement everyone can get behind.
Is dating in college the right thing to do? by MONICA GUTIERREZ contributing writer
W
hether someone is looking for a relationship or just looking for people to go out with, college is the time when people are find someone to spend time with. There are a lot of people who start college and never intend to get in a relationship, but sometimes stuff happens and people end up meeting someone and the next thing they know they’re dating in college. There are also some people
out there who are looking for a romantic relationship and can only find others who are looking for a good time. Senior kinesiology major, Katie Foster, said she has some trouble with what’s considered the norm with dating in college. “I don’t like that there is an expectation that you’re having sex right away,” she said. “Or there’s the whole if you’re dating in college you must be getting married right after you graduate.” This shows that just one person can have a wide range of views on
dating in college. Now that doesn’t mean that every time a college student attempts a relationship it’s not going to be successful. It just means there might be a few obstacles along the way. Lillie Rodriguez, senior nursing student, said she has been in a great and loving relationship for six years, but the only downside is he still lives in their hometown of Houston. “Being in a long distance relationship for going on four yeas and not being able to see
each other everyday sucks, but I feel like it keeps our relationship strong,” Rodriguez said. “We are able to experience that feeling of missing each other and realizing how important we are to each other.” Other college students choose to live the single life throughout college. Which gives them the chance to live freely without worrying about anyone else. There are all types of people in college which means there are all types of relationships that go on every semester.
4
news
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Momentum hosts first Trunk or Treat by GERI LEMMONS features reporter
O
n Friday Oct. 30, Momentum Village hosted their first Trunk or Treat event in their guest parking lot. This event involved volunteers dressing up their trucks, vans, and themselves in order to pass out candy from the back of their trunks to whomever wanted to come by and be a part of the event. This event was open to students, faculty, staff, and children who wanted to come out and see what was going on. During the Trunk or Treat event some volunteers helped out by passing out candy. Alexis Ruiz the assistant general manager to Momentum Village said they wanted to provide an alternative for students as well as the immediate community to Trickor-Treating. “This activity allowed the different departments from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to come out and spend some time with the trick-or-treaters as well as our residents,” Ruiz said. Ruiz said each trunk had its own theme and the people passing out the candy dressed up like the theme
that went along with the trunk. Each department or organization added its own Halloween spin and each one of the participants lined up in the guest parking lot to help pass out the tons of candy to the many people that came by. There were themes such as a pirates, Monsters Inc. and graveyards, all with their own twist to go with their club or organization while still keeping it kid friendly. Most participants came to the Trunk or Treat event dressed in their Halloween best with various themes. There were also different activities for people and students who attended the event to participate in
while they were collecting candy from all of the trunks. Ruiz said they had over 200 people come out to the event including from students, residents, and children all looking to have some fun and get candy. This event was open to the public and anyone could have come by an taken part in the festivities. “I thought it was a good idea and a great alternative for Halloween. It was nice to stop by”, said Angela Perez sophomore criminal justice major. Ruiz said Momentum Village employees look forward to participating with other organizations and departments
to help keep their Momentum Islanders involved in the community around them. “We plan on making our Trunk or Treats bigger and livelier as each year passes,” Ruiz said. “Most of our events are geared toward making our residents much more successful in their academics.” Momentum plans to have this event and get more people to come out and involved as this happens year after year. For more information about Momentum Village and any other events that are coming up or about next year’s Trunk or Treat visit www. momentumvillage.com.
Campus Activities Board strives for fun
create and execute programs and events for students to attend. Texas A&M University-Corpus ou may see the hashtag Christi students may remember #allwedoisfun posted a foam party last semester, that throughout social media but here was CAB. The Fall Family Festival is some information behind the was also CAB. CAB provides hashtag. many of the free events held on Campus Activities Board, also campus, and this school year is known as CAB, is a student-led just beginning. organization whose goal is to “Our hope is to really get out by BOBBY RODRIGUEZ contributing writer
Y
photos courtesy of BOBBY RODRIGUEZ
Bands compete in CAB’s annual Battle of the Bands for students and faculty to enjoy.
there,” said Erin Span Co-Director of CAB.“We would like for this to become a really big organization.” The first event CAB held this school year was Up All Night where other were able to participate and showcase what their organization does. “This is a great way to meet people and create friendships,” Span said. Not only does CAB create and execute events, they also help build up their members by offering opportunities in leadership roles. Jacobb Vela who oversees recruitment and retention said CAB is a stress free and fun environment where he can express himself. “It helps me expand my skills as a leader and my communication skills,” he said. “I have been able to test my leadership skills in my position as Co-Director of CAB,” Span said. “It has helped me grow as a person.” With information on how to be effective leaders, the leadership has a lot planned for the upcoming
year, for both members and the student population. Some events that CAB has hosted and is planning to host is their Islander Horror Story themed haunted house, Battle of the Bands, Speed Dating in early February, along with many more events. “We are all just super excited for this year and we hope everyone that attends our events has just as much fun attending as we did planning them,” Span Said. For more information on CAB or to see upcoming events check them out on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“I have been able to test my leadership skill in my position as Co-Director of CAB. It has helped me grow as a person.” —Erin Span
5
news
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
From chasing dreams to commission by JUSTINE GREEN contributing writer
A
ccording to most American Immigrants, moving from some countries to America is exciting and when they get the chance to live the “American Dream,” some realize it’s not such a great dream after all. Adir Houri and Shimi Yadgar are both Israelis coming to America to live “The Dream.” These Jewish Israelis escaped their comfort from the Middle East and came to America to save up money to support their families back home. “We came from another country with scratchy English,” Houri said. “It made it hard for us to get any job and be accepted. We have to settle with family owned businesses such
as ours in the mall.” Houri and Yadgar work in a mall kiosk in the center of a Corpus Christi mall selling Deep Sea Salt moisturizers. “I am forced to spend at least 2 years in the army after high school then find out there is nothing for me other than college,” Yadgar said. “So I came to America to make more money and be a kiosk superstar.” Houri said he does not miss school or homework or the thought of learning from a book. “I’d rather do this, although it is a repeated script of English and our money is based on commission,” Houri said. According to dictionary.com, commission is paid entirely or partially with commissions from
sales one has made or for work one has done. So their “American Dream” is seen more from work harder to get paid more. “Once we actually get the money, we have to pay this bill and that bill, and then work more, just to spend the rest of our money on more bills,” Yadgar said. “I guess we are living the American Dream.” Both said begin to become angry with themselves for not being able to sell Deep Sea Salt moisturizers, not meeting their personal goal or making competitions with their friends on who can sell the most. “I hate working alone because then I have no competition with my friends to get more sales,” Houri said. As a person walks by the kiosk not paying any attention to Yadgar as he
says, “Excuse me miss, maybe I have a couple of seconds of your time?” They either say, “Here’s my business card,” or Yadgar’s favorite, “I’m on a mission!” “Oh, you’re on a mission? Well, I’m on commission,” Yadgar says as the annoyed customer keeps walking. Houri and Yadgar said they believe Americans are rude and pay no mind, like kiosk workers don’t exist, or just beat around the bush and lie that they are just not interested. “So making $320 a day after an 11-hour shift on your feet with a repetitive script may not be the worst job,” Houri said. “But it sure is not at all what is told to be the American Dream.”
Published professor readies another book
by JESSICA AVES contributing writer
S
tart off the day with a cup of coffee and take some time to write. For many of us, this sounds like part of a retreat. For Dr. Jen Brown, assistant professor of environmental history, it’s how she does a lot of her work. She knows what works for her. This isn’t her first book, after all. In writing her last book, “Trout Culture: How Fly Fishing Forever Changed the Rocky Mountain West,” published in February 2015, she learned some things that stood out to her. One thing Brown said she learned was that fly-fishing, which can be associated with the pristine image of the Western United States, is not as pristine as often thought. Fly-fishing is often focused on catching trout, and most species of trout there are actually introduced to the area, she said. She started to think about ideas of what is natural and anthropomorphism. Anthropomorphism is defined as how people can interact with animals and associate them with human qualities. This is the focus of her current book. Brown is just in the beginning stages of writing her new book, which means she is focusing on gathering together credible sources of information. “Right now I’m just starting to gather all the secondary sources I can of animals, anthropomorphism, dolphins, Cold War diplomacy and generally coming up with what I hope will eventually be a massive bibliography on what’s already
written about the topic,” Brown said. Brown is focusing first on gathering secondary sources, before moving to primary sources. “[I’m] trying to figure out where research fits into [the] existing body of scholarship,” she said. The existing body of research on this topic is currently small due to the field of study being new, Brown said. Brown isn’t working alone in her pursuit to gather resources. As a busy professor, who has secured some funding for her research, she has hired assistants to help her gather primary and secondary sources. One of them is Ed Roeder, who is currently working on his Masters’ degree in history. Roeder had applied to be one of her assistants. He was impressed with her work. “[Her book on trout culture is] her bringing something really cool to the game in terms of environmental history,” he said. “It’s a newer kind of history that people are looking at. As the world gets polluted… it’s a huge opportunity to tell stories about environmental history.” Brown is impressed with his work as well, telling him, “You look like a guy who really digs into the weeds to find stuff ”. Roeder said his job is to “Go out and find as much [information] as we can [and to leave] no stone unturned”. The sources the assistants find will be compiled into a literature review, which Brown can then look through. When she has more sources compiled, Brown said she will
create an annotated bibliography, so she knows the current status of the field of animal history. As part of her personal working process, she begins to write little snippets until she’s able to write a chapter. Brown said she takes all the information that might go into a chapter, and puts it into one document, which can be 40 pages long. She starts revisions once she has some writing down, and then she will integrate it into her drafting process. However, she doesn’t just seek her own edits. “Once I have a big chunk, or a chapter, then it’s time for someone else to look at it,” Brown said. “Here [at TAMUCC], I ask colleagues to read a chapter, and they’re gracious enough to do that.” Colleagues aren’t the only ones to give feedback. Any book that isn’t self-published will have editors look it over. “You start with an acquisitions editor. And this person is generally just responsible for getting manuscripts to the press and starting the production process,” Brown said. “Once it goes through the revision/review process, then they usually hand it off to another editor. And that editor will oversee all the production process”, said Brown. Once she has a pretty clear idea of her topic, she thinks about potential publishers. Ideas for potential publishers come from her bibliography, and noting which presses show up frequently. Then she contacts them. Contacting an acquisitions
editor has to be done one at a time. Fortunately, potential publishers typically express interest, or a lack there-of, quickly. After initial contact with an acquisitions editor, if they are interested, they request a book proposal, which is a 5-15 page description of the book. “[The proposal is] very distilled down. Just to gauge their general interest. So, the topic, where it fits in the scholarship, [and] some of the similar books,” Brown said. “Your time period, where your revisions are going, what you’re still working on. Your vision for the book, and the audience.” Lastly, the proposal must reveal the vision of the book and the audience. The editor will either give a rejection, or request to see the manuscript. Creating an academic research book can be a busy and timeintensive process, with more work still to be done. Brown’s approach, though, is to keep writing. Eventually, simpler questions will come about, like when she was asked for ideas about what the cover would look like on her last book. The cover is the last part of the process of writing an academic research book, and is the first part of the book that greets the readers’ eyes. The goal is to create a cover that will be engaging enough to a reader, to invite them to benefit from all the work and research that went into the book.
6
campus
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
STUDENTS EXPLORE ISLAND UNIVERSITY by KACI ALVAREZ staff writer
T
exas A&M University-Corpus Christi hosted their second out of five Island Days to showcase the island campus for prospective undergraduate students on Nov. 7. Island Day gives high school students a chance to explore the campus and obtain information about financial aid, campus organizations, student housing and potential majors. It also includes a “Touch of Class” simulated classroom presentation so students can get first-hand experience of what a college lecture is like. There were a total of 900 prospective new students registered for this Island Day but due to weather a little over 500 people actually attended. The cost to attend Island Day is $10 per person and includes lunch and program material.
“The benefits of Island Day is that they get to see the university in a different light,” said Alissa Ramirez junior communication major and a student ambassador for the Office of New Student Programs. “It’s different from just a general campus tour where they would just kind of walk around with our tour guides.” Ramirez said the process for planning the four Island Day events took about a year due to communication with professors and faculty so they can prepare different presentations for the guests as well as contacting student organizations about reserving tables at their organization fair where students can talk to members and learn more about the specific group. One of the many groups that participated in Island Day to recruit potential new members was the Computer Science Club. To
bring in prospective students the members of the Computer Science Club brought a huge tri-fold with pictures to show what the club does and a student made computer game as well as drones that the members have worked with. “We wanted to join Island Day to show the fun things we do in the Computer Science Club,” said Christopher Rios, junior computer science major. The Computer Science Club typically sees a five percent increase in membership after participating in Island Day. Rios said the event really helps educate people about the club and persuades them to join. “When we talk to people at Island Day to get them to want to join, we tell them don’t be discouraged by the math part of computer science,” Rios said. “We will always be willing to help and support our members in
their work.” According to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi website, the next Island Day will be hosted on Feb. 6 and will be available for junior and senior high school students only and will include special admissions to the 2016 homecoming events, including the Islander Men’s basketball game. The last Island Day event will be on April 2 and will be the last Island Day before New Student Orientation. Student and family tours, group tours, and virtual tours are always available if the four Island Day’s were missed. For more information on Island Day or the other campus tours offered, visit www. http://tour. tamucc.edu/index.html or call the Office of New Student Programs at 361-825-8687.
Islanders begin monthly luncheon series
by SAMANTHA MAHLER staff writer
T
he Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Athletics monthly Luncheon Series will be held from Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015, through Tuesday, May 3, 2016. All Islanders Athletics team supporters are invited to attend. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Islander coaches and studentathletes on the first Tuesday of each month at the casual-style luncheon. This is the second year that the luncheon will be held. “The goal of the luncheon series is to keep our fans excited about Islanders Athletics all throughout the year in every month that we’re competing,” said Jimmy Frush, associate athletic director for development. “It’s a chance for them to hear about everything that’s happening directly from our coaches, while enjoying good food, fun and fellowship.” Attendees will be able to register
and get in line for food starting at 11:30 a.m. The program is scheduled to run from 12-1 p.m. At each luncheon, fans are given the opportunity to hear two coaches speak about their respective teams. Oftentimes coaches will be scheduled to speak at the beginning of their season and towards the end of the season. “That way, our coaches can provide fans with a season preview at the beginning,” said Frush. “Towards the end of their competitive season, they will talk about how the season has progressed. Hopefully it’s even a look ahead to the postseason.” The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Athletics Monthly Luncheon Series will run on a rotating basis of event locations. Those locations are the Holiday Inn Downtown Marina, the Emerald Beach Hotel, and Water Street Seafood Co. The series has grown with each passing month. In addition to the larger crowds the luncheons have
produced anticipation for each respective sports season. “I’ve been to a lot of [monthly luncheons], probably 30. When I walked in today, it’s probably the biggest venue that we’ve had, but I knew it was coming,” said Scott Malone, head baseball coach. “There’s a little more preseason hype that maybe there hasn’t been there in the last handful of years. I think the coaches are excited, the student athletes are excited, and obviously the people in the room are excited for basketball season.” The luncheon series allows for attendees to get to know Islanders Athletics on a personal level. As a result a greater knowledge of those involved with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi sports is dispersed through out the area. “One of the guys mentioned to me just this week that it’s just so different now. People recognize our players, they’re recognizing the work we put in on the floor and in the community and on campus,” said Willis Wilson,
head men’s basketball coach. “I think there’s a sense of pride that we’re going in the right direction, and a sense of accomplishment on some level for our players. I think the feedback is a validation source that we’re going in the right direction.” Tickets for each luncheon are $15 per person and will be available for purchase online at GoIslanders.com or by calling 361-825-BALL (2255). The ticket price will cover meal costs. Fans will also have the option to buy tickets at the door. However due to limited seating it is advised that all who wish to attend purchase tickets in advance. Fans may also RSVP ahead of time in order to secure tickets if they must pay at the door. The Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi Islander Athletics Monthly Luncheon Series is sponsored by the Port of Corpus Christi. For more information contact Jimmy Frush at james.frush@tamucc.edu or (361)825-3237.
7
campus
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
ISLANDER REVUE rocks island by KACI ALVAREZ staff writer
T
exas A&M University-Corpus Christi hosted their 16th Annual Islander Revue performance on Nov. 6 at the Performing Arts Center on campus. The Student Foundation Association puts on the yearly-anticipated event for student organizations and groups to perform and compete for $2,000 in cash prizes as well as a special performance from the Islander’s Dance Team and Cheer Team. Eight organizations competed this year for the top prize, including Singers Theater, The Stage, Zeta Tau Alpha, Delta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Gamma Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, and Delta Delta Delta. Each Organization was scored on different aspects of their skit. “There’s going to be five judges participating,” Elizabeth Parker, senior English major
and President of the Student Foundation Association, said. “The organizations are scored on creativity, musical quality, overall choreography like how well they can put everything together and a really big factor is audience feedback.” Parker said she feels this is the best Islander Revue yet because there are more groups performing in comparison to past years and each group captured the theme of Islander Revue. “We started planning in the spring,” Parker said. “The first thing we started to planned was the theme.” This year’s Islander Revue theme was “Rocking the Island.” Each organization that competed this year combined classic and new rock songs with their skit to stay within the theme. During Islander Revue, the top five scored organizations won a variety of cash prizes. The acapella group Singer Theater
got fourth place, Tri Delta won fifth place, Alpha Gamma Delta won third, Gamma Phi Beta got second, and Sigma Phi Epsilon won first place. Sigma Phi Epsilon rocked the house winning the People’s choice award and first place with their creative and unique skit involving Top Gun references, dancing robots, and bright neon tight pants. “My favorite part about our skit is honestly just seeing brothers from our chapter come together on stage and making something that made everybody scream,” Trey Weber, President of SigEp and senior communication major, said. The people’s choice award was determined on how much the audience reacted to and cheered on each skit. By winning people’s choice as well as first place, Sigma Phi Epsilon won two cash prizes. “We worked really hard at
practice throughout the weeks and it paid off,” Weber said. Weber said the fraternity is giving all of their earnings to charity and their philanthropy. Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national philanthropy is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters website, the organization is the nation’s premier donor and volunteer-supported youth mentoring organization. This year’s Islander Revue had tight competition and performances that won the hearts of the audience. Besides the award money all of the proceeds from the ticket and T-shirt sales go toward Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student scholarships for those who qualify. For more information on the Student Foundation Association and Islander Revue, please visit www.studentfoundation. tamucc.edu.
TOP: Sigma Phi Epsilon performs their final act of the night. SigEp walked away with 1st place on the night for their performances. LEFT: Singers Theater belts out their Evolution of Rock acapella piece. RIGHT: Zeta Tau Alpha shows off their love for classic 1950’s rock n’ roll.
photos by KACI ALVAREZ
8
city
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Sushi chefs successful without learning English by THU NGUYEN contributing writer
A
t the Asian Cafe restaurant located on Airline, one can find two local sushi chefs hard at work. Mr. and Mrs. Liu Yow have worked at Asain Cafe for two of its eight years of service. People line up and order sushi everyday, and the Yow’s make it to order, however, there’s one catch, they don’t speak English very well. Not wanting to waste their time, I tried to ask questions and understand everything they tried to explain to me. The owner of the restaurant was willing to help me with translating what the chefs said. “I am so excited to share with you about my life and how my wife and I can live in the United States without speaking much English,” Yow said. It has been 35 years since they first came to U.S. as a refugee, they have faced many difficulties in their life because they can’t speak English. Mr. Yow said that he failed seven times to get the U.S. citizen card because he could not speak English well, and he could not understand what interviewer asked him. During their first few years in the United States, they used body language to communicate with people.
photo by THU NGUYEN
The Yow’s pose for a quick photo inside their restaurant located on Airline Road.
“You know, sometime they could not understand what I wanted to say,” Yow said. “First few years when I came here, people laughed at me because I could not speak English. I used body languages and tried to let them know what I wanted to say. After a few years, I met my wife when I did dish washing for a Chinese restaurant. That was the first time I met a person who could speak Japanese. I was very happy and I thought she was too.”
Mrs. Yow said they have seen through each other. “We have empathy towards each other, and we think we need to stay together,” she said. She said they made a lot of mistakes when they made orders for the customers, and could not understand what they wanted. “Some people came and asked about everything, they looked at us unfriendly because we couldn’t understand what they said,” she
said. “I used to feel embarrassed and wanted to cry when they looked at me like that.” At times, they felt like they were trapped in a nightmare. “We went to the bookstore, and bought some children English books that have colors and pictures, especially some pictures have the material for the sushi we make, and we brought it to work,” Yow said. “You know why, because people could come and asked about sushi, I can gave them the pictures and they showed me which one they wanted and what they didn’t want to eat, then I made it for them.” Tiffany M., a regular customer at Asian Café, said it is not really hard for her to order food because they have all the pictures on the menu. “I just tell them what I don’t want inside my sushi rolls,” she said. “Their English now is better than before. I am one of the loyal customers here because I have known them for a year since I started here at TAMUCC.” After many years in the United States, Mr. and Mrs. Yow have had a better life than they had in Japan, but they don’t have any children. They can make orders for customers faster and remember some popular words that are used in sushi. English is not a big deal to them anymore.
Local Farmer’s Market brightens downtown Corpus Christi by MARISA HARRELL contributing writer
W
hen you drive down Ocean/Shoreline Drive every Wednesday evening, you see people roaming around the Art Center of Corpus Christi searching for the best local crops. The Art Center in downtown Corpus Christi is full of vibrant colored vegetables, fruits and much more. Live music fills the air with local artists and bands. While patrons walk through the crowd to find the best available crops, products Alex Negrete, senior science major, said she has been going to the Farmers Market ever since she moved down here from Austin for school. “I usually always shop at Sprouts for local produce and ever since I have found out about the Farmers Market, I will never go back to Sprouts,” Negrete said. The local Farmer’s Market on Shoreline offers numerous
amounts of activities for all ages, from face painting for children, to local food trucks for the family. Sean Stadter, sophmore geology major, said every Wednesday he and his girlfriend always go to the food truck for dinner.” Coming from Austin as well, the local cuisines there were so fresh and delicious that he is
photos by SEELA.ORG
always trying to find something close to that in Corpus Christi. Farmer’s Markets are full of energy and fresh produce that makes him remember his hometown. For anyone interested in the local Farmer’s Market you can find out more information at the Art Museum downtown at 100 N Shoreline.
9
entertainment
11.12.2015
Clothing takes on new technology
ISLAND WAVES
by SAMANTHA MAHLER staff writer
P
erhaps the worst feeling in the world is walking into The Cove, grabbing a plate from Panda Express, heading to checkout and realizing the beloved SandDollar$ card was left behind in the dorms. Even worse? The looks received from students waiting in line that have less than five minutes left to get to class when this problem is realized. MasterCard is well on their way to fixing the dreaded lunch hour blues in a way much more stylish than our favorite blue and white credit card (Sorry, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi). In fact the company hopes to get rid of little plastic rectangles altogether in a much more unconventional way than the typical “Go Green” recycling initiative. The brand sought Rhianna’s go-to designer, Adam Selman, to design apparel and accessories that will include mobile payment chips sewn into the garments. Selman’s designs include a pair of sunglasses that embody a silhouette similar to that of a cat-eye, an empire-waisted dress with a bow, a pair of gloves with a ruffled trim, a clutch, and a
pair of earrings. Selman’s line was unveiled on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Money 20/20 Conference in Las Vegas. This event celebrates innovation among payment services between more than 3,000 companies. Each corporation is a pioneer in visualizing unique, state-of-theart means for consumers and businesses alike to manage and spend their money. “[MasterCard] gave me total leeway; the idea was less about a specific product than about changing how we think about paying, which is what designers need to do: push boundaries, think about what’s next,” Selman told The New York Times. Consumers will choose a product from the MasterCard Adam Selman line. The chip included in the garment will be connected to an app on users’ phones via Bluetooth. Cardholders or lack thereof will then swipe the clothing piece designed by Selman in front of a scanner to pay for their purchases. Adam Selman is known for his infamous barely-there dress that Rhianna wore to the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America awards. Though the glittery gown
PIRATES continued from page 1
students post-graduation. The music department will put on another performance through the Opera Workshop next semester. Over the years the Opera Workshop has put on performances like “Cinderella” and “Down in the Valley.” Opera Workshop students and faculty alike worked very hard all
semester long to perform “The Pirates of Penzance.” If students are interested in performances like this one or the other opportunities offered through the Opera Workshop and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi music department, more information can be found on S.A.I.L under MUEN 1157.
photo courtesy of TAMUCC FLIKR
The Pirate King, played by Freddy Acevedo, gets ready for his close-up. Many of the Opera Workshop’s cast are also members of the TAMUCC Theater department.
might not be ideal for the average American grocery shopper his out of the box thinking is exactly why MasterCard chose him to be the founding designer of their new fashion revolution. “We wanted to use things that were already a part of life,” said Sherri Haymond, head of digital channels at MasterCard. “Fashion and jewelry are a big part of that.” The idea encourages swipe-andgo shopping from today’s consumers who seem to be constantly on the go. This innovation will prove especially rewarding to students who struggle with putting leftover change from their transaction into their wallets in a timely manner after a purchase.
Nothing has been released yet regarding cost of the technologically innovative fashion pieces nor which stores will carry them. The line is expected to drop sometime in the second half of 2016 just in time for glove season. Hopefully this partnership between MasterCard and Adam Selman is just the beginning of many more fashion-turned-techie advances. How cool would it be if the Dugan Wellness Center decided to scan Nike tennis shoes in place of student IDs? Do not look now Islanders but the fashion-forward future is on the horizon.
10
sports
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Klepetka dominates Southland performers
by ABBEY WEAVER staff writer
I
slander volleyball continues to wreck the competition as they sweep their way through the Southland Conference with an undefeated season. The team has promising potential for the upcoming events with sophomore libero Kate Klepetka leading the Islanders to victory. Klepetka has already made a huge mark despite it only being her second year at the college level. With a team best of 455 digs and 4.06 digs per set her freshman year and dominating her own stats with 1,000 digs this season against Houston Baptist and four titles of Conference player of the Week there is no doubt that Klepetka is doing big things for her athletic career at the university. “It’s weird,” Klepetka said. “Getting Player of the Week four times has been a pleasant surprise but I’m just happy to help out my team in any way I can.” Klepetka stays humble throughout her successes and keeps her focus on improving herself and making her team proud. She explains that her team and coaches are most important to her and they keep her motivated by playing as a unit. “I just want to play as best as I can for them,” Klepetka said. “Everything they do is for me, and everything I do is for them. It’s a give and take thing.”
One can really see how close knit this islander team is and how important their friendship is to their success. “We have a lot of great memories,” Klepetka said. “All of our great wins like that fivesetter last year at the conference tournament against HBU. And also sweeping UCA at UCA in our first conference match, that was a good one too.” Even with her amazing team and coaches by her side, Klepetka still deals with the struggles that come with the sport. She admits that her biggest struggle is staying calm when out on the court. “Its hard for me to keep my cool,” Klepetka said. “I’m really intense when I play and I want to do as best as I can and I want my teammates to do as best as they can so I just have to bring my anxiety level down as much as possible.” Along with the challenges on the court, she also faces obstacles off the court. Balancing school and sports can be really difficult. However, Klepetka takes the pressure well thanks to her supportive academic advisors and a lot of library visits. Despite the struggles with the sport, volleyball is everything to this young, successful athlete. “Playing makes me forget everything around me,” Klepetka said. “I can’t hear the crowd I can’t hear anything but myself and my teammates around me. Its an awesome feeling.”
With a humble spirit and her natural will and determination Klepetka has high hopes for her team getting closer to the conference tournament. “This seasons been incredible,” Klepetka said. “I’ve never been a part of a team like this we all just get along so well and we have the potential to go so far. I see us winning out, going undefeated in conference, win the conference tournament, then the NCAA.” Klepetka is a dedicated athlete and continues to make her coaches, her team, and the university proud.
photos by JAMIE FINK
Left: Islander libero, Kate Klepetka, recently recorded her 1,000 career dig in an Islanders come from behind victory against Houston Baptist. Below: Klepetka picks up a dig. Klepetka was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week for four straight weeks.
11
sports
11.12.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Islanders rout Rattlers in exhibition game by ISAAC PAGE staff writer
T
he Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi Islanders trounced the St. Mary’s University Rattlers in an exhibition game at the Dugan Wellness Center, 9463, Saturday night. Bryce Douvier, Dale Francis, Jelanie Currie, Brandon Pye and Hameed Ali were the starting five for the Islanders. The Islanders’ offense was aggressive and hitting on all cylinders to start the game. They quickly got into the bonus and were living at the free-throw line throughout much of the first half. 21 of the 53 points the Islanders put up in the first half came at the free-throw line. The three-ball was also falling for the Islanders in the first half. The Islanders shot 6-11 (54.5 percent) as a team from threepoint country. Senior guard Brandon Pye and senior forward Viktor Juricek each hit a couple of threes in the half. The Islanders led the Rattlers 53-24 at halftime. The 19-point halftime lead came as a result of the Islanders’ pressuring defense,
forcing the Rattlers into 12 first half turnovers. The Rattlers struggled shooting the ball as they shot 5-20 (25.0 percent) from the field and 1-13 (7.7 percent) from behind the arc in the first half. The Islanders remained aggressive offensively in the second half, but their defense was not as sharp as it was in the first half. The Rattlers got their offense into a better rhythm by getting into the paint and capitalizing on several defensive breakdowns by the Islanders, but it came when the Islanders had already built their lead up to double digits. The Islanders could afford to trade baskets with the Rattlers for the rest of the game. The Islanders ended the game with some impressive stats: they collectively shot 25-46 (54.3 percent) from the field, 6-14 (42.9 percent) from three-point country and a decent 38-50 (76.0 percent) at the free-throw line Senior Hammed Ali had a strong outing playing point guard, making good decisions and keeping the ball moving. In
the first half he focused primarily on setting up his teammates. When the second half arrived he looked to be more aggressive with his offense, driving to the basket and scorching the Rattlers’ defense with his midrange game. Ali converted 4-9 of his field goals, shot a perfect 7-7 at the free-throw line and scored 16 points. He also had three assists and one steal. Sophomore Ehab Amin was sensational coming off the bench to replace Ali at point guard. Amin is just what the Islanders need coming off the bench because he pushes the tempo and he is fearless driving to the basket. Amin ended the game with 14 points having played 22 minutes. “It was a good game to get us ready for the season,” said Amin. Senior Viktor Juricek came off the bench and was incredibly efficient. Juricek shot 4-7 from the field and 5-7 from the freethrow line to score 15 points in 15 minutes. The 6-11 forward also showed off his stroke and hit two threes. “The big thing for us is we
stayed locked in for 40 minutes,” said Juricek. “That’s something we struggled with last year.” Senior Bryce Douvier was the only other Islander in double figures with 11 points. Guards Brandon Pye and Emmanuel Toney scored nine points each. Head coach Willis Wilson was pleased with his team’s performance, but he said the Islanders still have a lot of work to do defensively and when it comes to making adjustments during the game. “We do have a lot of work to do still,” said Wilson. “If we can keep our guys engaged, we keep that rotation coming where we can keep our defensive intensity up, we could really have a good year. I’m not sure that we’re really tested in that area yet and that’s probably an area where a coach probably needs a little more confidence than the players do.” Tomorrow the Islanders open up the 2015-16 season against the Our Lady of the Lake University Saints at 7:30 p.m. at the American Bank Center.
12
sports
11.12.2015
A CUT ABOVE THE REST ISLAND WAVES
Islanders crowned Southland Conference regular season champs by JAMIE FINK editor-in-chief
T
he Islanders (26-4 14-0) ousted the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears, who came in as the number two seed in the Southland Conference, in straight sets 25-20, 25-11, 25-14, to finish the 2015 regular season undefeated at home. On a day that honored the Islanders’ four seniors, the win clinched the program’s first Southland Conference regular season championship. In a year for the record books, the Islanders capped their home season with their 16th sweep. “This was the goal since the first day I came here,” said head coach Tony Graystone. “Each year you saw us get closer and closer, and so this year we were able to put it all together and go on a run. You could see everything we’ve put in it.” The Islanders were led by Morgan Carlson and Brittany Gilpin who racked up 10 kills apiece. However, it would once again be the Islander defense that would shine in the win. The Islanders ended the match
hitting .347 percent while holding the Sugar Bears to a second-lowest .079 mark on the season. “Our strength of our team, our core is in the back court,” Graystone said. “It’s nice to see that when our block isn’t there, we can still get it done and hold teams down. That’s what it was tonight. It took us until the third set to figure things out.” Senior Hailey King helped spark the Islanders win in the first set, as she entered the set with the Islanders trailing 12-11 then served up a 4-0 run including an ace to shift momentum and put the Islanders on top 15-12. From that point on, the Islanders never relinquished the lead in the set. With families and friends packed into the Dugan on an emotional day, the Islanders continued the match with the intensity gained from the come-from-behind victory in the first set. The Islanders picked up the win in the second set 25-11, which was the second largest margin of victory for the Islanders this season in Southland play. “It’s pretty bittersweet,” said senior Ivy Baresh. “But I couldn’t be happier, coming out and sweeping
them is probably the best way to end my regular season at home.” Baresh finished the day with six kills and seven digs. Baresh, along with the other Islander seniors, helped accomplish feats never before done by the Islander program. The sweep of Central Arkansas wasn’t the first this season, the Islanders opened up conference play on the road in Conway, Arkansas, where they swept the Sugar Bears in the first round of the UCA Tournament. The sweep of the Sugar Bears on their home court, was something that had never before been accomplished. GoIslanders.com described the Islanders’ season as somewhat of a fairytale. This year’s senior class opened up their Southland volleyball careers with a home win over Central Arkansas, and four years later, they closed their home season at the Dugan Wellness Center with a sweep over the Sugar Bears. The Islanders will go on the
road for their final two games of the regular season at Sam Hosuton State and Lamar. “Still two tough matches,” Graystone said. “At least since I’ve been here, we have never won on the road at Sam Houston. We know it’s going to be a tough match. Both of these teams are still fighting to get into the Southland Tournament.” The Islanders will look to finish the regular season posting a school record best 28-4 overall record, while wrapping up the Southland with a 16-0 record. The Islanders finished the regular season with a 15-0 home record including 11 of their 16 sweeps on season. Head coach Tony Graystone also picked up his 100 career victory as the Islanders head coach. The Islanders will return to Conway, Arkansas, on Nov. 20 when they will begin the Southland Conference Tournament as the overall number one seed in the tournament.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ACHIEVE PARTNER
To learn more or become an Achieve Partner please visit achievepartnership.tamucc.edu