The Mercury 09/21 by The Mercury

September 21, 2015

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REWRITING HISTORY Senior volleyball player sets new all-time mark for assists

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TALKING HEADS Students weigh in on who they believe is the best presidential candidate

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POP UP Dining Services starts campus farmers’ market

HAMID SHAH | ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR

NIDHI GOTGI

Managing Editor

As the season for peaches, nectarines, pluots, apples, bananas and Asian pears came to a close, students were able to enjoy a fresh assortment of produce on the Plinth on Sept. 8. Organized by Dining Services, this Pop-Up Farmers’ Market was the first of a series that will be held on every second Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. They will all feature seasonal produce from local farms, such as Leaf Safari and Village Farm. “I think the first event was a huge success,” Executive Chef Gene Christiano said. “I think it was a great display and set up. I think we saw, on the low end, probably 150 people; on the high end, probably 200.” He said part of the reason it was so successful was the on-site tasting option. Asian pears were offered as samples and a case of the fruit was sold in less than 10 minutes of the market’s debut. The highest priced item was $5. Resident District Manager Shannon Mariani said the goal of the market was not to drive revenue. Instead, it was a promotional tool to encourage people to visit Dining Hall West. “The big piece for us is how (can we) tie in something that would drive students, faculty and staff to visit (Dining Hall) West?” Mariani said. “So we’ve got all these new venues opened up in the SU, but what Gene wanted to do is create a farmers’ market or a pop-up event … which is more of a trend in dining.” Christiano added that building traditions was a reason for hosting the event. Dining services has introduced new options to The Pub’s menu, such as Comet Ketchup and the fireball chili hotdog. The farmers’ market is another way to provide students

DINING SERVICES | COURTESY

Executive Chef Gene Christiano (center) stands with Vice President for Student Affairs Gene Fitch (right) and two other workers on the first day of operation for the Pop-Up Farmers’ Market. The market will be open the first Tuesday of every month until November.

with interesting experiences, Christiano said. “We think that, by doing this, we’re going to not only build a relationship with the students, (but) we’re (also) going to create long-lasting memories,” he said. Christiano also mentioned that another aspect of the event was to make it an interactive, educational experience where students can become more familiar with the eating options in Dining Hall West. “Sometimes the perception can be clouded with what’s represented in Dining Hall West,” Christiano said. “So it’s about putting a face to the name. It’s about identifying the local produce vendor that we’re purchasing from. And as (one) student … of the

3000 freshmen, they may not understand that … (they’re) really getting this high quality produce.” Every farmers’ market will have an active demonstration incorporating a featured ingredient in a sandwich or quesadilla. Complementary samples will be given out. Some type of shake or salad with that month’s special ingredient, hand fruits sold by the piece, prepackaged vegetables and sweets will also be on display. On Sept. 8, the ingredient of focus was the green tomato. The specialty items were a fried green tomato sandwich with kale slaw, chipotle aioli and

→ SEE POP UP, PAGE 4

UTD investigates bug clouds Clouds have been noticeable since beginning of year, stem from large amount of excess water CARA SANTUCCI Mercury Staff

Facilities Management will begin to implement strategies this month to eliminate the clouds of gnats that stretch 150 yards on the North and South malls on campus. Sam Eicke, the assistant director of Facilities, is in charge of resolving the issue. Eicke said the bugs took up residence about three weeks ago — right around the time the North Mall was opened. “In my opinion, I think what happened (with the bugs) was because of the new landscape,” he said. “There was a lot of water put down … in conjunction with the new engineered soil and the pine bark mulch.” In order to lay the groundwork for the landscaping on the North Mall, groundskeepers used a generous amount of water to get the plants established. Eicke said that the excess water led to a “perfect storm” for an explosion of gnats. The situation with the bug clouds on the South Mall began after Facilities replaced the sod on that part of campus. Shortly after, the gnats began to mate and migrate from the North Mall. Director of Physical Plant Services Kelly Kinnard has been working with Robert Moon — a horticulturist — to resolve the problem with the bugs. Kinnard said Moon, who is overseeing the landscaping and construction on the mall, recommended that both Facilities Management and the contractor reduce the amount of water used.

Q&A: Alex Piquero, campus carry liasion In early August, professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences Alex Piquero was named as the chair of UTD's campus carry working group. The group will meet to discuss SB11, PIQUERO the new state law passed earlier this year that allows registered concealed handgun license owners to bring concealed handguns into campus buildings. The group will also make recommendations about how UTD will implement possible “exclusion zones” where concealed handguns cannot be brought. The Mercury sat down with Piquero to get more information on his role in the group and what its plans are. Q: What does the law actually mean? A: “Right now in the state of Texas, people can carry a concealed handgun on university property. The only thing that this law does to change that is it allows (concealed handguns) into buildings. Now, here’s the thing: the (Texas) Legislature left the door open. It allowed campuses to identify zones they want excluded (from concealed carry). So, part of the issues we are working through and (the) System itself is working through is, ‘What’s a zone?’ There are a lot of unknowns because the law was written in a very general way without specifying what those zones could be. So what the campuses are tasked to do is to make recommendations. By the beginning of December, our president will write a memo to (the) System (Administration) that says, ‘Here’s our proposed list.’ Then (the) System goes through all of the lists from all of the campuses. Then they give comments back to the presidents and then the presidents forward another final memo that then goes to the Board of Regents for their review and approval in early 2016. And then (the Board of Regents) makes the decision.” Q: Is there anything the working group can actually change? A: “We can recommend. There’s exclusion zone discussion, then there are locations of lockers and then signage. So the lockers (where concealed hanguns will be stored) have to be placed in particular, secure places. Then we have to have signs approved and implemented in particular places. There’s a big layer of complicating decisions that span multiple levels, including cost. The way the law is passed, it assumes that each campus will pick up the tab. How much that will be? I don’t know, because we don’t know how many zones, how many lockers, how many signs. That’s what all the universities in the state of Texas have to do that are public universities.”

Q: What exactly does the job entail? PHOTOS ILLUSTRATION BY HAMID SHAH AND ANDREW GALLEGOS | MERCURY STAFF

The clouds of gnats infested the area around the renovated North Mall since it opened earlier this fall.

“We asked (the contractor) to taper it back a little bit. We don’t know if they did or not,” Kinnard said. “It’s obvious in some areas that they didn’t. But at the end of the day, we were doing the same thing they were … (We) created an environment where (the bugs) could breed and feed.” Kinnard said they would take Moon’s recommendations into account and make changes to control the problem. Facilities Management is going to start

cutting back their water usage once the new landscaping is set. “It’s kind of the broad sword and the scalpel,” he said. “When you plant everything, you water everything. Once it gets established, now you bring in the scalpel and you do it detailed and efficient.” Student Affairs Chair Charlie Hannigan is

→ SEE BUGS, PAGE 4

A: “There are two features to this. The first one is each campus has developed a working group. I’m the chair of our campus’s working group. Our work group goes through discussions about (what) the bill says. We have a timeline to get our recommendations to (the) System sometime in December. (The) System and the Board of Regents make some determinations in early 2016 and then we implement the policy basically next summer

→ SEE GUNS, PAGE 12

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LEGEND VEHICULAR INCIDENT

-CorrectionsTHEFT

In the last issue of The Mercury, in the story titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wise beyond years,â&#x20AC;? the university sponsors of the WISE program were incorrectly stated. The program is sponsored by the Office of the President.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL

Also, in the photo spread titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sound and Color,â&#x20AC;? the Multicultural Center should have been listed as a co-sponsor of the Welcome Week Block Party along with Radio UTD.

OTHER

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OPINION Change in Lebanese culture needed 3

SEPT. 21, 2015 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Recent protests against government’s failure to collect waste highlight shift in thinking of country’s youth, cynicism of older generations MAZEN LABABIDI COMMENTARY

Recent protests in Lebanon over trash buildup have highlighted the need for a shift in culture among the people. Trash started piling up in the streets of Beirut and Mount Lebanon after the government closed the areas’ landfill on July 17. The landfill was expected to shut down last year, but the government kept it open in order to search for sustainable alternatives. Not surprisingly, no solution was found. Since then, mountains of trash have swamped parked cars in Beirut. Vehicles and pedestrians have to maneuver around the garbage piles, while smaller streets are totally blocked off due to the mounds of waste. Food rotting in the sweltering summer heat has created pungent smells, causing people to rush by holding their breath. On top of all this, residents desperate to get rid of the mountains of trash have taken to burning the piles, leading to large fires that have to be put out. After weeks of frustration with the situation, Lebanese citizens began to peacefully protest in early August. The demonstrators quickly grew from a couple hundred people in the first few days to over 20,000 protestors meeting in Martyrs’ Square in Beirut on Aug. 22. Unfortunately, protestors and the police clashed later that evening, leading to one protestor death and several hundred injuries on both sides.

Protestors responded by gathering with a force of 20,000 in Martyrs’ Square again for a peaceful demonstration on Aug. 29. It is just one of the steps that needed to be taken to bring change in Lebanon. The protest proved that, despite what our elders might tell us, the youth of Lebanon do care about what happens to their nation. “I think what hurts the most is that the younger generation sees no future in Lebanon,” former Lebanese Economy and Trade Minister Nasser Saidi said during an interview on CNN. “I have three of my own children and they tell me they don’t want to come back.” When Saidi said this, I was genuinely disheartened. This type of hopelessness has spread through Lebanon after years of injustice. Fortunately, the movement to clear the trash has turned into a national protest against government corruption and ineptitude that might finally bring a permanent change. “We typically don’t get mass movements for something as simple as trash pickup,” Associate Professor of Political Science Idean Salehyan said. “We get people fed up over other reasons. Lebanon has had a history of corrupt politicians, outside influence and militant factions. (This discontent) is probably much more what is driving these protests. And the trash just becomes the most obvious thing to look at.” The “You Stink” movement — an online campaign started by a group of Lebanese youth who are leading the protests — is focused on dealing with the practical aspects of the trash crisis and trying to find a sustainable solution. They are demanding a plan that includes the sorting, recycling and proper disposal of the present and future waste. They are also working towards

NADER SOUBRA | COURTESY

Protestors gather in Martyr’s Square in Beirut on Aug. 29 to demonstrate against the large pile up of garbage in the streets and government corruption. The movement has resurrected the Lebanese youth into action and political activity.

the removal of the current Environment Minister. The “You Stink” movement is also sharing tips for recycling and a growing number of people and businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the resources for it in their area. A big part of the solution for the trash crisis will be political. But for a long-term solution, there needs to be a change in Lebanese culture. After trash piled up in the streets, people just started complaining and continued throwing trash like they always did. Now, for what seems like the first time ever, people are actually taking action to change their country for the better. It gives me hope to see the Lebanese youth push-

ing for a change in culture and sustainable solutions. Although not all people will adapt immediately, a change in lifestyle will come to Lebanon soon through the younger generation. The protest will probably die down when the trash is picked up, but the movement of the youth has shown that we can still believe in Lebanon’s future. “I’m pretty optimistic about the future with the newer generation coming into the political scene,” healthcare management senior and Lebanese-American Kayla Maaraoui said. “I see a future (in Lebanon), but I don’t know when that future will begin.”

Sanders’ tuition reform plan needs focus Current option calls for removal of tuition from from all public four-year universities, faces backlash for controversial reforms MARSHALL HONAKER COMMENTARY

According to a report released by the Federal Reserve in May, outstanding student loans in the United States have increased to approximately $1.19 trillion — a $78 billion increase since last year. With this increase, college loans have become the second largest source of debt in the country. A few days after the release of this report, Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders introduced legislation to Congress that would remove tuition and other such fees from all public, four-year universities in the country. This legislation could resolve many of the dilemmas facing recent graduates by heavily subsidizing public institutions of higher learning using federally generated tax revenue.

However, the concept of making college free has faced significant controversy. While removing tuition from universities would benefit students, I remain skeptical of the longterm effects of such a policy. Funding such an expansive program remains an issue. While such legislation almost necessitates a raise in taxes, the tax reform policies touted by candidates — notably Sanders and Clinton — allow certain measures to be taken to facilitate and support the design and enactment of tuition reform policy. The benefits of this type of policy are clear. The burden placed on graduates by outstanding student loans is rapidly approaching the scope and proportions of a crisis. Removing tuition and other such fees associated with a college education would not only aid those students saddled with college debt, but the rest of the country as well. While students would feel the effects of free or reduced tuition immediately, long-term economic

benefits could be reaped as well. A well-educated workforce would allow the U.S. to maintain its position as the world’s premier economic power, and further contribute to the development of a more advanced, complex society. This would also increase the productive capacity of the nation as a whole, allowing markets to expand and meet previously unsatisfied demands. A major point of contention is the principle that college is not a right but a luxury, so access to education beyond secondary school is not guaranteed. Following that point, there is concern over the effect the proposals may have on the value of college degrees. If the supply of a good in a given market becomes too great, the value of that good decreases. Unfortunately, college degrees are not exempt from this principle. I believe that in order to maintain the value and integrity of a university degree, access to such degrees should be restricted to those individuals most driven and deserving. However, it is also my

belief that those individuals deemed most “deserving” should not be limited to those who can afford it. Therefore, legislation must be enacted so graduates of public universities are not faced with the nearly insurmountable task of repaying student loans while maintaining the competitive and rigorous nature of pursuing a college education. While many students would benefit tremendously from legislation that makes college more affordable, the social cost and fairness of doing so remain ambiguous. Many of my closest friends have been forced to take loans in order to afford the high costs of education in this country. They face ever-increasing obstacles after graduation because of these loans and the financial burden they place on recipients. With this in mind, this is not an ethereal struggle best left to be resolved by an unseen entity in Washington, D.C. We as college students are the ones most affected by the future of any such legislation, so our thoughts, opinions and actions are more relevant than ever.

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“Do you think Ahmed Muhamed should have been arrested?” Tell us your thoughts about Ahmed Muhamed and answer our poll at www.utdmercury.com.

“I don’t think it was necessary because he was underage and they interrogated him without his parents or lawyer. It was totally unnecessary. Plus, I thought it was racial profiling.”

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RESULTS FROM LAST ISSUE “Do you think Donald Trump is a serious candidate?”

81%

14%

Yes

I don’t know

The online poll was open from Sept. 8 to Sept. 20 and had 21 participants.

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D " T U TES O "V OR IT D E

I don’t know who to vote for F

RY CU R E

AF ST

ts n e he tud d... t Of 74 s eye 2 urv s

1% Joe Biden

14%

Rand Paul

Hillary Clinton

Deez Nuts

Donald Trump

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<1%

Martin O'Malley

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Jeb Bush

<1%

62% Bernie Sanders

Ben Carson

|M S IC AL H V I P RC RA PE |G G M A EN RI CH MI E D I AN NN R CO KE Y A B ON GN SI LH E L D A SH AR M BY CH

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Marco Rubio

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0% 0%

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→ POP UP

I’m just starting to see actual Tier One dining experiences (align) with the academics, so it’s an exciting thing,” Mariani said. Assistant Director of Food and Retail Services green tomato cake. Christiano crafted the recipes for those dishes and they were served for lunch and din- Carrie Chutes said UTD Dining Services also used this event as an educational opportunity to inform ner at Dining Hall West. Christiano predicts that October’s menu will fea- students about sustainable practices. “We are focused on ture squash and gourds, our sustainability and but Texas’ unpredictable our composting,” Chutes weather will leave that said. “The Office of subject to change. Sustainability was there “I would say that next to us, so we look at it’s still kind of in the it as a partnership.” works,” he said. “We’ll The Office had a booth have to see … especially set up nearby to provide with Texas. The weather recycling demonstrations, has a big impact on the information on compostavailability of what’s ing on campus using food local, so I would like to and lawn waste, flyers on kind of leave it open.” LEED certified buildings This spontaneity has that incorporate rainalso played into the water collection systems marketing strategy for and solar panels and the the event. Mariani said Monarch waystation. that social media will In addition, a represenbe the primary form of tative from the Humane advertisement through Society of the United using the hashtag #Popc States, Wanda White, about a week before the was present to talk about set up. plant-based cooking. “We’ve been asked, As the market contin‘Is it going to be a ues to make its presence surprise?’” he said. “I known until November, really think it will be Christiano said he hopes a week before. You’ll students take a liking to start to see our Twitter and Facebook accounts — Executive Chef Gene Christiano the products they offer. “I think as we go start to drop hints about through the first three, what (Christiano is) we’ll get a better undergoing to do and what standing of what the he’s going to create.” demand is … For now Although promotions start a week prior to set up, planning for the event we’d like to keep it special so it’s something that the students are really looking forward to,” he said. started over the summer. “I think it leads us to this moment where you see “We could, for the lack of better terms, go big or things like (the Pop-Up Farmers’ Market) and now go home.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

For now we’d like to keep it special so it's something that the students are really looking forward to. We could, for the lack of better terms, go big or go home.

→ BUGS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

consulting with his committee in Student Government to resolve the problem. They began working on the gnat clouds after hearing negative feedback from disgruntled students. “One of the most common problems that people were bringing up … was the clouds of gnats that were bothering everyone as they were walking across the mall,” he said.

Hannigan said his committee researched preventative measures to take, as well as possible predators they could introduce to campus to solve the problem naturally. “We found out dragonflies eat the gnats, but Mother Nature totally beat us out,” Hannigan said. “Dragonflies just bloomed on campus and started eating the bugs much faster than we could (fix it) artificially.” He said student government is no longer receiving

DINING SERVICES | COURTESY

Students line up to buy products at the Pop Up Farmers’ Market during its first day of operations on Sept. 8. The market will feature fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as snacks prepared from ingredients available at the stand.

complaints about the insects on campus. In addition to letting nature take its course, Moon recommended using Neem Oil as a pesticide. Eicke said the university has an integrated pest management practice, so they don’t spray chemicals unless it is the only option. Neem Oil is the safest product on the market for this purpose, Eicke said. He expects to see a decline in gnats within a month or so. “I think when it gets down to the lower 80s, you’ll

see a drastic reduction (in bugs),” Eicke said. Eicke scheduled a meeting in the near future with the contractor, the subcontractor, the horticulturist, landscape contractor and the landscape architect to create a definitive watering schedule. Eicke said he hopes a regimented use of water, in conjunction with the natural pesticide, will prevent the gnats from resurging. “If I can get these four or five people all in agreement, (then) we’re in pretty good shape,” he said.

LIFE&ARTS

SEPT. 21, 2015 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

Up, up and away 40 hot-air balloons, live performances kick-oﬀ Plano Balloon Festival

MICHAEL GORDON | MERCURY STAFF

Festival goers line up to see the balloons take flight on Sept. 18. 103,00 people attended last year. MICHAEL GORDON Mercury Staff

Hot-air balloons filled the sky as a 35-year-old annual celebration took place once again at Oak Point Park in Plano from Sept. 18-20. The Plano Balloon Festival started back in 1980 when local balloonists gathered at polo fields to showcase their hot-air balloons. The fields were located where Willow Bend Mall is today. After the first year, the event moved around to different locations, eventually finding a home at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano until 16 years ago. As popularity and attendance grew, the festival was relocated to Oak Point Park, which is adjacent to the Collin College Spring Creek campus. The three-day event featured 40 hot-air balloons, live performances by local artists, activities for kids and food. Plano natives Liz and Robert Lafever have been attending the festival for 28 years. The family acknowledged how far the festival has come in such a short period of time. “It used to be a craft fair and the vendors sold items made (by) hand. It used to be much less commercialized,” Robert said. “There are a ton of great food options that were not here over the past years.” Jo Via — the executive director of the Plano Balloon Festival — was present at the first festival almost 40 years ago.

“The parents who brought their kids in the ’80s, their kids are now in their 20s (and) 30s and they are bringing their kids,” Via said. “We have three generations that are coming.” Last year, it was estimated that 103,000 people attended the festival. Via expects the festival to continue to grow in size. “There’s not much more entertainment you can find than the kaleidoscope of the color on the (balloons),” Via said. “There is a concert on the main stage, skydivers, obviously balloon launches, balloon glows and fireworks on Saturday night for $5.” The festival also provides a way for Collin County nonprofits to fundraise and build awareness about the causes they support. This year, about 53 Collin County-based nonprofits participated in the festival, providing services such as parking, admission control and selling tickets in the Kid’s Fun Zone. The organizations will receive a percentage of the money made based on the amount of volunteers participating. One of the nonprofits — the Plano West Rotary Club — has kept its presence at the festival for many years. “This is probably our 25th year,” Fred Bemenderfer, the former president and current Youth Services Director of the club, said. “We

CHAD AUSTIN | MERCURY STAFF

TOP 6 SELLING VIDEO GAMES of 2015 1. Mortal Kombat X 2. Grand Theft Auto V 3. Battlefield Hardline 4. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

→ SEE BALLOON, PAGE 6

5. Minecraft 6. Batman: Arkham Knight SOURCE: FORTUNE.COM PHOTOS: PLAYSTATION.COM, XBOX.COM, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

PINPOSSIBLE

Tea Cup Candle LINDA NGUYEN | MERCURY STAFF

ntil a couple weeks ago, I had never been thrifting. My experience buying from second-hand stores was limited to running to Goodwill to pick up clothes for a costume and working at the Habitat ReStore as a volunteer. For this Pin Possible, I decided that a trip to the thrift store would be perfect for my tea cup candle project. After visiting several thrift stores around the Plano/Richardson area, I finally found some tea cups at a store near campus off of Campbell Road. I was excited for this project because I had never made candles before. I thought that putting a candle in a tea cup would be really cute and a great decorative addition to my apartment.

WHAT YOU NEED - Tea cups A - Wax flakes (found at any craft store) - Tongs - Candle scents - Wicks - Chopsticks or skewer sticks - A large pot with water - A glass jar or cup

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Put the pot of water on the stove and begin to heat it. 2. Measure out the wax for your tea

cup. Estimate how high you want the candle wax to go and scoop double the amount of wax flakes into the glass jar.

3. Put your wick together if it's not already premade. I bought braided wick and the wick bottoms separately. I used pliers to crimp the ends together. Hot glue the wick to the bottom of the tea cup. 4. Use the chopsticks or skewer sticks to help hold up the top of the wick. 5. Place the glass jar/cup into the pot of water and wait for it to melt. The pot doesn't have to be boiling because the wax will start to melt a little before that happens. Use tongs to hold the jar or cup in place. C 6. Take the glass jar/cup out of the pot and add in your candle scent. A teaspoon of the scent is probably more than enough. D 7. Pour the melted wax into the tea cup. 8. Let it set over night. One of the best things about craft stores is that they often do the hard work for you. If I had to figure out where or how to make wax by myself, I could have easily had a very different experience with these tea cups. Overall, it was a pretty simple project. But the result is definitely something you wouldn't find at most stores.

THE MERCURY | SEPT. 21, 2015

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

started out over at Bob Woodruff and then they brought it over to Collin College.” Though the revenue accumulated doesn’t go directly to the nonprofit, Plano West Rotary donates the money to other organizations, such as Barron Elementary School in Plano.

LIFE&ARTS

“We donate a part of the money to help them with their field day … and also with their funding for things that they need that the school does not cover for them,” Bermenderfer said. Dan Mitchell, a Plano native who is a regular at the festival, said this year was another success. “It’s great for the city of Plano and the people of the area,” Mitchell said. “We love our city and the festival has been an amazing experience.”

UTDMERCURY.COM

SPORTS

SEPT. 21, 2015 | THE MERCURY | UTDMERCURY.COM

RECORD SETTER V-ball player breaks UTD all-time career assist record, gets passion for game from mother PABLO JUAREZ Sports Editor

An afternoon match-up on Sept. 4 featured the women’s volleyball team and the Southwestern Pirates as they opened their weekend tournament play. In the first few minutes of the game, history was made. At the end of the 2014 season, current senior setter and team captain Kayla Jordan was just 34 assists shy of the program’s all-time assist record. “I was just like, ‘If we would’ve played one more game,’” Jordan said. After breaking the program’s individual singleseason record with 1,391 assists as a sophomore, Jordan realized that the all-time career assist mark was an attainable goal. “Since then, I kept working to get that,” she said. In the first home game against Wiley College, Jordan tallied 34 assists to tie the record. With her first assist against the Pirates, she became the program’s sole all-time career assist leader — breaking the previous record of 3,872 career assists held by Niki Calverley. “It was exciting to be able to reach that so early in season and, now that it’s over, (it’s exciting to) just focus on the rest of the season,” she said. Despite the team playing a road game versus Southwestern University, Jordan did not lack an audience. Jordan’s family made the trip to Georgetown, Texas to watch her make history. In addition to her parents being there, her grandparents, three aunts and two uncles were also in attendance. Her teammates and the coaching staff celebrated the accomplishment during the game by calling a timeout and presenting her with a commemorative ball. “I was super excited for her,” teammate Abbie Barth said. “I think that’s pretty incredible that she did it and she did it so early. She definitely deserves it.” Jordan hugged her family in the stands as the group shared a special moment. “We were very excited for her,” her mother, Janette, said. “We couldn’t be more proud of her. Of course — being a mom — I cried.” Barth listed some qualities that make Jordan a good setter. “She makes a lot of plays, saves a lot of good balls that most likely wouldn’t (have been) saved,” she said. “She’s just a great setter.” Upon entering the volleyball program, Jordan said her main goal was just to step on the court and play college ball. Early in the recruitment process, Jordan — then a resident of Deer Park, Texas — was looking at three colleges in Colorado as possible destinations

CHRIS LIN | MERCURY STAFF

Senior setter and team captain Kayla Jordan became the program’s all-time assist leader on Sept. 4, surpassing the previously held record of 3,872 assists. She said she has become more confident in her playing skills during her time at UTD.

to play. UTD’s head volleyball coach Marci Sanders reached out to Jordan, expressing the program’s interest in her. “We saw Kayla play in club and we liked the way she ran the floor, her set quality, her intensity and her competitiveness,” Sanders said. “Kayla was a great fit because she desired to major in computer science, so that’s kind of how it all got started.” It wasn’t until the summer before her senior year of high school that she made her decision to play for UTD. “I had a volleyball tournament here in Dallas my

junior year and I decided to come stop by (UTD),” Jordan said. “I just fell in love with the school, the coaches and the program.” The year before coming to UTD, Jordan said she spent a lot of time practicing on her own because her final season with her club volleyball team ended sooner than she expected. “My senior year (of ) club volleyball kind of fell apart,” she said. “We didn’t even finish out the season.” She said her main focus was on improving her conditioning to get ready for the speed of the game play at the collegiate level. Initially, the biggest obstacle

for her as an incoming freshman was psychological rather than physical. She said the biggest challenge was staying relaxed during games. “I used to stress a lot during games,” Jordan said. “If something wasn’t working, I’d kind of freak out. (Now) I play calmer and (am) more confident in what we do.” Sanders has seen this development in Jordan’s game. “Obviously the difference now (with Kayla) being a senior versus a freshman is we can really, really let go and trust her to make the decisions

→ SEE JORDAN, PAGE 8

ROAD WARRIORS V-ball team experiences ups, downs on lengthy road trip

PABLO JUAREZ Sports Editor

Fully equipped and focused, the women’s volleyball team entered enemy territory. The team on the other side of the net, backed by a hostile home crowd of 669 deafening fans, was the only thing that stood in the Comets’ way of returning home with their first conference win of the season. The Comets defeated East Texas Baptist University (17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20) on Sept. 15 to open ASC play, ending the Tigers’ 18 home-game winning streak that began in 2011. With the team currently in the midst of a 14-game road trip, adversity and feats similar to the match at ETBU will set the tone. The trip includes games in four different states. The Comets opened their games on the road on Sept. 4 against Southwestern University, beginning their play in the Mary Hardin-Baylor tournament in Georgetown, Texas. Falling to Southwestern (25-27, 25-22, 22-25, 25-16, 12-15), the team marked their first loss of the season. “We made some critical errors, and I’ll even take some of those,” head coach Marci Sanders said. “I could’ve trusted our team a little bit more at the end of that match, but I also had changed the line-up a little bit (to try) and help them out in making some of their decisions.” The Comets would go on to beat their next three opponents without dropping a single set. “We saw our weaknesses because Southwestern pointed some out,” senior setter Kayla Jordan said. “We focused in on those for the remaining matches.” Sanders said the competition of the opponents during the two-day tournament was comparable to, if not higher than, what they will see in conference. “It was good competition,” Sanders said. “Some of our conference opponents lost to the teams that we beat. It definitely shows that we’re ready to compete within our conference.” The team continued their road trip on Sept. 11 by flying more than 1,600 miles to Tacoma, Washington

CHAD AUSTIN | MERCURY STAFF

The volleyball team has racked up 3,111 miles over the course of their latest road trip. Due to conference scheduling, the team was only alloted five regular season home games.

for the Puget Sound tournament. The Comets won three of their four matches after falling to a Pacific Lutheran squad on Sept. 12 (2125, 25-23, 26-28, 21-25) to close the tournament. “I think it’s good to see that caliber of team so we kind of know where we fall and what we have to get to,” junior outside hitter Abbie Barth said. “Having those losses are good in the sense of knowing what we need to do to get better.” As the team continues to play through their current schedule, there are notable pros and cons in playing away from home for an extended period of time. “We play multiple games in a row, so it builds up our endurance,” Jordan said.

Sanders said the upside in playing away from home is that it prepares the team for the post-season. “You’re not going to be hosting a lot of home events if you get to the post-season,” she said. “Fortunately for us this year — if we do win our division — we do get to host our conference tournament. But after that you’re not guaranteed to host a regional tournament or the NCAA tournament. You have to get used to that aspect of having to travel and compete.” Barth expressed that she feels constant travel makes home games all the more special. She said that spending entire weekends with the same group of players further develops trust and team chemistry that can later be translated onto the

court. Traveling opens the door for team bonding activities, said Barth. “We have one pretty fun game called ‘head phone karaoke,’” she said. “You put head phones in (while) a teammate picks a song and you just have to sing it. We love to dance in the locker room before games and we’re really big on pranking each other … so you’re kind of paranoid a little bit.” Jordan said the staff often tries to fit events into the schedule to make each experience memorable. “There’re a lot of jokes that we come up with on the road or in the buses,” she said. “We have a lot of

→ SEE WARRIORS, PAGE 8

THE MERCURY | SEPT. 21, 2015

→ JORDAN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

that we’re wanting her to make on the court,” Sanders said. For Jordan, the driving force behind her motivation both on the court and in the classroom is her family. She said her mother specifically plays a big role in her life. “My mom actually played volleyball when she was growing up,” Jordan said. “She was a setter. (That) just made me want to play volleyball.” When Jordan was young, her mother coached her at the local YMCA for two years. “It was a lot of fun,” Janette said. “The girls were seven and eight (years old). We tried to get every girl to play every position and it just seemed that setter fit (Kayla) the best.” The bond between the two only became stronger afterwards. “We’d go outside and play, especially when she was younger,” Janette said. “Her dad would go out with us. She would practice her backsets and her front sets.” Jordan would sometimes practice outside on her own by hitting the ball against her roof. Her neighbors took notice. “Some of my neighbors (say) whenever there’s a post (online) about me, ‘See you playing outside all the time came in handy,’” she said. Janette was at her daughter’s side for the majority of her playing career. Jordan said both her parents inspire her on the court. “Both my parents are very supportive and travel to almost all the games,” she said. “I play for them and for all that they’ve been through.” Jordan’s mother said she is proud of who her daughter has become. “Kayla is a determined young lady (who) enjoys making people laugh,” she said. “She worries about others and she’s just so kind.” Jordan accomplished what she set out to do from a personal standpoint and said she will continue to extend her record, but there is still some unfinished business. “These are tiny, little, individual things,” Jordan said. “What I’m looking most forward to (are) the team accomplishments.”

SPORTS

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NUMBERS ON THE BOARD GRAPHIC BY CHAD AUSTIN | MERCURY STAFF

REAL MADRID | COURTESY

RENDERFUTBOL | COURTESY

HQFOOTBALL RENDERS | COURTESY

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

stories to tell and we learn more about each other. When we go to cool places, (Sanders) always tries to add something extra (to visit).” Sanders said the downsides of a heavy road schedule for the players include losing sleep and missing class. With the Comets gelling on and off the court, Barth explained that the team must focus on two areas of improvement moving forward. “We need to improve serving and serve receiving,” she said. “Our hitting and our setting will take care of itself … but passing and serving are going to be our biggest things to focus on.”

PHOTOBUCKET | COURTESY

UPCOMING EVENTS In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Meteor Theater and the UTD Multicultural Center are collaborating to screen “McFarland, USA”

Zsuzsanna Ozsvath, a survivor of the Holocaust and UTD professor, is giving a lecture on the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and her experiences in Nazi-occupied Hungary.

Support the women’s soccer team as they face-off Hardin-Simmons in an American Southwest Conference match.

Watch UTD TV’s live debate program hosted by the editor-in-chief of The Mercury, Esteban Bustillos.

COMICS&GAMES Then This Happened...

SEPT. 21, 2015 | THE MERCURY

9 7

Daydreams

by Tim Shirley

by Alvin Nguyenly

Computer Pain

by Chad Austin

Puzzle: Sudoku 3

4 6

4 9

1 2

6 9 8

9 2

8 8

6 Medium

THE MERCURY | SEPT. 21, 2015

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