15th November Edition of The Mercury

Page 1

the Mercury

www.utdmercury.com

The Student Newspaper of UTD

Vol. XXX, No. 15

UTD Table Tennis team bounces into action Page 8

Playing with fire Page 6

International homecoming ‘Whoosh Around the World’ to explore cultures Jameshia Bankston Staff Writer jtb071000@utdallas.edu

illustration by Michelle Nguyen

With a hint of color, sports games and slight competition, UTD’s Homecoming board is looking to spice up the traditional way of promoting school spirit. UTD’s cultural diversity symbolizes unity and this year’s Homecoming theme “Whoosh Around the World,” which was gener-

ated as a complement to promote a stronger sense of “Comet spirit,” said criminology senior Melissa Tarin. Some events will be dedicated more to the literal and obvious meaning of the theme, while some will be more fundamental and traditional but still able to reach out to every venue of the student body. The Homecoming Dance,

see HOME page 4

RECORD setter

November 15, 2010

Eight foods that get the brain going Page 5

Move to more ‘AccessAbility’ Nada Alsami

Contributor news@utdmercury.com

Divya Raju looks like a typical college girl. She wears jeans and t-shirts, ties her hair back in a ponytail and can often be seen walking to the library to study. But Raju’s casual appearance masks an internal struggle that she must face every day. She has ADHD and dyslexia, two learning disabilities that others cannot see and that she prefers to

keep a secret. But every time she walked into the Office of Disability Services for help, the office’s name revealed to everyone around her that she was living with a disability. “I hated (people knowing) that I was in the Office of Disability Services,” Raju said. “They would get so shocked, their eyes would widen.” But now, Raju no longer has to deal with such

see ACCESS page 4

Senior setter Niki Calverley is the first All-American in UTD volleyball history.

Calverley named most valuable player in division Bobby Karalla

Contributor rjk090020@utdallas.edu

T

he most valuable volleyball player in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) East Division is a Lady Comet. Interdisciplinary studies senior Niki Calverley was named the ASC East Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nov. 9. “I am really honored. I feel very fortunate,” Calverley said. “It’s overwhelming at this point.” This is another award added to Calverley’s list of accomplishments that includes her nomination as DIII Player of the Week in October and back-to-back ASC All-Conference Team and the ASC East Division First Team honors. She was also named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-South Region Team and All-American Third Team last season. Calverley is the first All-American in UTD volleyball history. Coaches nominate a player from their team for National Player of the Week, and the executive members of the AVCA selects the winner. Calverley is also UTD’s all-time leader in both single-season and career assists, and was the team captain this season. UTD women’s volleyball assistant coach Zach Villareal likens Calverley’s role on the court to that of a quarterback, which requires awareness and good decision-making. “(Calverley is) the one who makes all the decisions about who gets to hit what ball at what time,” Villareal said. “She has a lot to think about, not only on our side but what players on the other side of the net are doing.” Villareal said statistics determine who is named Player of the Week. Calverley’s assists per set statistic led the nation through Oct. 31. “It’s easy to get assists when you have such good hitters,” Calverley said. “Most teams have two good hitters, but on this team we have at least five.” Calverley also leads the team off the court. She said she tries to help teammates by keeping them out of trouble and encouraging them to go to class. Calverley said the best advice she has received from Villareal and head coach Marci Sanders is to work hard every day and be the best person she could be. “You have to be yourself and be the best person you can be, and you have to work at that daily,” 1,167 assists (1st in conference) Calverley said. “You have 11.55 assists/set (1st in conference) to consciously think about 3,872 career assists (most all-time at UTD) what you’re saying and 27 service aces (2nd on team) doing, and how you’re .27 aces/set (T-1st on team) treating other people.” 251 digs (3rd on team) Villareal said he has coached Calverley since

Player profile

see CALVERLEY page 9

photo by Albert Ramirez


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