THE USD VISTA
Hand, foot and mouth spreads amidst Toreros
Viral
outbreak concerns students
CADEN HAYNOR NEWS EDITOR
EMMA PHILLIPS ASST. NEWS EDITOR
This semester, the University received multiple reports of confirmed cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), affecting students across campus. These cases spread across multiple on-campus housing areas, including many firstyear residence halls like the Valley A and B buildings.
HFMD is a viral illness that commonly causes sores in the mouth and a rash on one’s hands and feet. It is mostly spread through direct contact with a person who has contracted the disease and by breathing in the airborne virus.
USD first-year and Valley A resident Declan Lancas was exposed to someone with HFMD after he visited their room. Lancas shared his reaction to his exposure.
“I was super shocked,” Lancas said. “Everyone within our room started spraying
down all of the chairs that he was sitting in and whatnot. And then the next day we saw him and he had bumps all over his face and we were
like, ‘Oh my gosh we can’t get this,’ so we’ve just been distancing from [his room]… I’m definitely worried about it, I can’t get caught with that.”
USD first-year Madison Merlino lives in Valley B and shared what she knows about HFMD.
“I’ve heard that it gives
you really horrible blisters,” Merlino said. “Everyone has been talking about it and saying that they don’t want to get it. And they just put a whole hand sanitizer on our floor with a sign.”
Dr. Kimberly Woodruff, director of the USD Student Health Center, responded to students’ concerns about HFMD in a statement to The USD Vista.
“Like many common viral illnesses, HFMD is contagious and can affect people of all ages, including healthy adults,” Woodruff explained. “However, it is typically a mild illness in adults and can clear up within a few days. The virus is transmitted by close personal contact (including kissing and hugging) [and through] respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing… HFMD is not uncommon on college campuses. It can spread in close communal settings, such as residence halls and shared workspaces. However, it can be prevented with proper health and See HFMD, Page 3
‘Spring Awakening’ Club rugby climbs up a division
RILEY RAINS ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of suicide, death and abortion.
The University of San Diego’s undergraduate Department of Theatre is presenting the “Spring Awakening” play from Nov. 20 — Nov. 23. USD’s spin on
“Spring Awakening” is based on the play written by Frank Wedekind which explores repressed adolescents stumbling into adulthood as awkwardly as they do into each other’s arms. The production surrounds young Melchior and Wendla — played by USD sophomore Antonio Bregante and USD senior Liv
See Spring, Page 4
Government shutdown ends
See News, page 3
PRIYA COOPER SPORTS EDITOR
ACOSTA ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
USD rugby has a long history of success in both Southern Calif. and at the national level. The team practices twice a week in the evenings on Manchester Field, and
as of this semester, has just made the jump from Division 1AA (D1AA) to Division 1A (D1A), jumping from the second highest level to the highest level of college rugby.
This new transition from D1AA to D1A has brought a lot of excitement and a new layer of competitiveness to the team that has yet to be seen. Moving up divisions means USD is now recognized as a
Veterans
See A&C, page 5
top program, competing against tough nationally ranked teams. Toreros have been playing D1AA for the past four seasons and have proven worthy, surpassing teams with dominance.
In fact, USD rugby is coming out of back-to-back championship wins in 2022 and 2023 in the 7-on-7 competition. They also had back-to-back championship runs in the 15-on-15 in 2023 and 2024. Ever since USD took the first championship, they have been competing at a higher level.
USD alumnus Dustin Braun played as a lock, one of the forward positions directly playing behind the front row. In a 2025 interview with The USD Vista, he said that the team is aware of their esteemed reputation.
“We know we have a target on our backs,” Braun said. “Other teams see us as the alpha and want to take us down. That excites us.” D1A league, previously called the College Premier Division, is the highest level of men’s
See Rugby, Page 11
Americans
ignore Pope Tennis wraps up season
See Feature, page 8 See Opinion, page 9
See Sports, page 12
The opening night of ‘Spring Awakening’ is Nov. 20. Photo courtesy of @usddeptoftheatre/Instagram
USD rugby kicked off their season on Nov. 15 against UCSB. Photo courtesy of @usd_rugby/Instagram
MAXIMILIANO
Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent getting sick.
Lara Dominique Solante/The USD Vista
Times they are a ‘change’in’ USD students give their two cents
EMMA PIRHALA MANAGING EDITOR
While commonly forgotten in couch cushions, overflowing purses and vending machines, the penny is gaining new light as its minting sunsets.
The U.S. Mint concluded production of the penny on Nov. 12 after a 232-year run. The copper and nickel-plated currency’s demise came after a decade-long debate into the costs of the production of the cent. Yet, students mourn the loss of the penny as a staple of American life and culture.
USD first-year Jacquie Stevens explained her perspective.
“I think that’s kind of crazy to me,” Stevens said. “I don’t really use cash or pennies, so it doesn’t really affect my dayto-day life, but I wonder what’s going to happen next with that.”
The penny lived a long, storied life — conceived in 1792 and anchored in everyday
American commerce. When the cent first entered circulation, buyers could purchase a biscuit or a candle. Over time, the coin devalued to today’s often forgotten status. In the last decade, the cost of producing a penny has more than doubled — soaring from 1.42 cents to 3.69 cents per coin.
USD first-year McKenna Tang shared what she thought about the demise of the penny.
“I feel like it says a lot that a penny is worthless to the point that [the U.S. Mint] would get rid of it completely,” Tang said. “We’ve always had the penny, and for it to be gone is kind of strange. What is gonna happen now?”
The United States is said to save more than $56 million per year by pulling the plug on the penny, according to U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach — a large sum noted by the Trump administration in their war against government spending.
Not only were pennies costly for the government,
on the death of the penny
but also for businesses. With an ongoing coin shortage, some small businesses were left short-changed and pushed to round down final sales.
This is not the first time the government has eliminated a form of currency. Notes in denominations of greater than $100 were discontinued in 1945, while the last time a coin was canceled was the half-cent in 1857.
Penny production may be over, but the cent isn’t going anywhere. With over 300 billion pennies in circulation, sellers will still price goods and services to the cent. The Mint will continue to strike limited-edition coins for collectors and historians.
Although the penny has crossed the “copper” bridge, its legacy lives on in fountains across campus, the bottom of communal dryers and in each and every student’s junk drawer.
GAMES
Crossword of the week:
Following Black Friday, this is the biggest e-commerce shopping day of the year
Which Christmas song was originally meant for Thanksgiving?
This fruit is used in a sauce for Thanksgiving meals and is native to North America
What animal does the President pardon every Thanksgiving?
What is another word for potato?
What is the name of the red skin on a male turkey’s face?
was
What state was the first Thanksgiving located?
7. How many days did the first Thanksgiving last?
Which department store hosts the annual New York City Thanksgiving Day Parade?
10. Which sport plays at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena every year after Thanksgiving? 11. What is the key ingredient to stuffing?
USD students worry about disease on campus
Toreros contract hand, foot and mouth disease in residence halls
From HFMD, Page 1
hygiene… There is no cause for concern.”
On Nov. 14, Woodruff also shared what the University is doing to help prevent the spread of common viruses.
“In the coming days, the team from USD Facilities Services and USD Residential Life will provide extra
cleaning in common areas as a precaution,” Woodruff stated. “The USDTimelyCare team is available 24/7 for virtual on-demand medical care… Students with HFMD symptoms should stay home until they are symptom free and have no fever for 24 hrs.”
USD first-year Morgan Beck responded to the University’s
response surrounding the recent spread of HFMD.
“I think that they’re handling it pretty well,” Beck said. “I don’t think, at least in Valley B, there hasn’t been a ton of people getting it. So, from what I’ve seen, I think that they’re keeping it under control pretty well. I’m going from a small sample size… but I have a couple buddies in Valley A and there, it’s pretty bad.”
USD sophomore Gabriel Ambrose reacted to the spread of HFMD on campus.
“It’s really unfortunate living on campus with this,” Ambrose said. “You’re in such close proximity to other people, so it’s just hard. But it is cold season, it is flu season and sometimes these things come around. We can all play our part in making sure that we stop the spread.”
As a viral illness, some of the best ways to prevent the spread of HFMD are washing hands frequently, avoiding sharing items like cups and utensils, disinfecting surfaces and avoiding large gatherings of people.
Historic government shutdown ends
Congress concludes negotiation of new spending bill
CADEN HAYNOR NEWS EDITOR
The longest United States government shutdown officially ended on Nov. 12. The shutdown began on Oct. 1 and affected a wide range of federal services.
The shutdown caused closures and minimal staffing in national parks. Funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) halted, causing delays in subsidies like food stamps. Flight operations were delayed and canceled as hundreds of thousands of federal workers were furloughed or worked without pay.
The shutdown continued for 43 days due to a lengthy negotiation between representatives on the congressional budget. The main area of debate was the expiration of certain Affordable Care Act premium subsidies related to people affording healthcare. There were also partisan divisions over where
to spend federal funds.
The process of ending the shutdown began in the Senate, with a 60-40 break in the over six-week stalemate.
Seven Democrats and one independent reversed their votes to pass the bill through the Senate. After it went through the Senate, the bill was sent to the majority Republican House of Representatives — where it narrowly passed.
That night, President Trump signed the spending bill to officially end the shutdown.
USD senior Ethan Hodosh shared his thoughts on the lengthy shutdown.
“People need to put partisanship behind them and agree because it hurts the general public,” Hodosh said.
“I think that when we have people in power that can’t come to a mutual agreement it affects the public’s actual lives, whether it’s our workers not getting full payments and having to leave work, or it’s the people not being able to fly out of airports.”
This new legislation will
The USD Vista
Lauren Ceballos - Editor-in-Chief
Anjali Dalal-Whelan - Associate Editor
Emma Pirhala - Managing Editor
Lara Dominique Solante - Copy Editor
Caden Haynor - News Editor
Amelie Sedlack - Feature Editor
Riley Rains - Arts & Culture Editor
Priya Cooper - Sports Editor
Anahi Padilla
Social Media Manager
Emma Holliday - Director of Finance
Benjamin Boss - Advertising Manager
Gina Lew - Student Media Advisor
Dr. Byron Howlett - Operations Advisor
fund the government through the end of January and will reverse layoffs made during the shutdown, guaranteeing federal workers back pay for the time they were not compensated. This ensures that all who were not paid will receive what they are legally obliged to.
USD sophomore Sam Sobieraj gave his reaction to the shutdown ending.
“I’m really glad that it’s over because so many things stopped happening when it was going on,” Sobieraj said.
“I just think that the fact that some politicians were being paid during the shutdown by the government is disgraceful and they were the ones that needed to vote to end it.
Republican politicians going on vacation during the shutdown while FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] workers don’t get paid are messed up.”
USD first-year Benjamin Babikian shared his views on the government reopening and the recent shutdown.
“I don’t know much about the new spending bill, but I
think overall, there should be more cooperation in all forms of government across the United States,” Babikian stated.
“People in our government are leaders, and it is a sign of failure that things are not operating as smoothly as they should.”
As federal workers were continually left without pay during the shutdown, flight schedules experienced multiple changes.
The plane delays and cancellations plagued San Diegans on their way in and out of San Diego International Airport in recent weeks.
Most recently, on Nov. 9, over 100 flights were canceled and about 300 were delayed at San Diego’s airport.
Even following the end of the shutdown, some students are worried about flight cancellations as the Thanksgiving holiday looms around the corner. USD junior Daniella Romero explained why she is worried about these flight schedule changes.
“It was definitely frustrating having flights either being
canceled or delayed the past month or so,” Romero said. “I’ve heard from a lot of friends that they’ve been stressed about the [flight cancellations], whether or not they’d be able to fly home for the holidays, so I guess that’s the most prominent issue.”
Hodosh, who lives in Thousand Oaks, Calif., explained his plans for traveling back home this Thanksgiving.
“I’m driving home for Thanksgiving instead of flying,” Hodosh said. “The airport situation is a clear example of [these shutdowns] hurting the public, where people cannot get to where they need to go.”
Now that the government has reopened, federal workers are returning to regular operations. National parks are reopening, museums are opening their doors and federal courts are resuming their normal dockets. Some government services, such as food assistance programs like SNAP, air travel operations and federal worker payroll systems will still take time to fully ease back into operation.
Rashes on hands are one symptom of HFMD. Photo courtesy of @stellarpediatric/Instagram
Signs and sanitizing stations around campus aim to prevent the spread of disease. Emma Pirhala/The USD Vista
ARTS & CULTURE
USD Theatre presents ‘Spring Awakening’ Actors prepare for opening night on Nov. 20
From Musical, Page
1
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of suicide, death and abortion.
Meloy respectively — as their desires grow for one another and their parents’ guidance wanes. Melchior’s friend, Mortiz — played by USD junior Jordan Bayon — explores his sexuality in a school that is constantly suppressing individuality. The cast consists of 14 Toreros who are excited to perform after months of dedication.
USD sophomore Emma Power who is playing Anna, a character central in the young friend group, provided background into the theatre’s preparations.
“The auditions were in September,” Power recalled. “Rehearsals and then design has been taking place for the last few months. A lot of times we’ll be here until 10 p.m. just preparing for it. So the time commitment has been really fun and engaging. Lots of preparation on both the tech side and the performance side.”
confrontation: Wendla asks her mother where babies come from. After jumping around the subject for a few scenes, the parent fails to explain the facts of conception to her impressionable daughter.
Wendla’s friend group — Martha, Thea Anna and Ilse — are all equally naive.
USD first-year Isabella Combs, who is playing Thea, explained what “Spring Awakening” is about.
“It’s essentially a coming of age story that goes into what happens when children are neglected by society — when adults reject the feelings of youth,” Combs said. “It definitely surrounds the conflicts between adults and youth.”
The play trickled down from Broadway to USD. The production’s brave, sensitive content has won eight Tony Awards, including “Best Musical.” Set in 1891 Germany, the electric fusion of rock and roll, morality and sexuality inspired Postdoctoral Faculty member Wilfred Paloma to direction and
Adjunct Assistant Professor
AND CAROLS
show. Berger directed USD’s play last year, “The Wolves.”
The professors and actors alike have to battle the play’s touchy subjects in relation to their own personal lives. Power described the relevance of a play that explores sexuality, the lack of education in grade school and amplifying repressed voices.
“I think it’s really powerful because the frustration of children not given a voice, and therefore options, can still be seen in modern problems,” Power argued.
USD sophomore Jacqueline Goshert plays Martha, a girl who is physically and sexually abused by her father. Goshert echoed Power’s concern.
“I think this show is really pertinent, especially when we’re seeing a lot of defunding in schools of art, with the current administration who I feel has a bit more of a conservative take,” Goshert stated. “When it comes to sexual education and education around different sexualities — the show deals with both. And this play is about the consequences of [when] one of the adults in children’s lives don’t educate them partly on sexuality. It’s really important to understand why these conversations need to be had and what the consequences are of what happens when we don’t have them.”
In the play, a main character dies by suicide due to academic and sexual shame, and another character passes from a botched abortion. These bold actions may evoke intense reactions from audience members. In light of this, the Department of Theatre has issued a content advisory.
“‘Spring Awakening’ explores the rollercoaster of adolescence, touching on themes of sexual awakening, rebellion and
struggles of coming of age,” the Department wrote. “Due to its mature content, we recommend audiences of 17+. There is discussion and depiction of sexuality (both consensual and non-consensual), partial nudity, sensitive themes (domestic/ physical violence, mental health struggles, suicide, abortion), masturbation, strong explicit language, and substance use.”
While the content of the “Spring Awakening” musical is heavy, students involved in theatre couldn’t be more thrilled over its production. With demanding hours, the community has sparked friendships among Toreros. USD sophomore Israel Fox, who’s playing Ilse, shared her experience.
“You are able to make friends and meet people very quickly,” Fox explained. “It starts feeling more like a family than people you work with.”
Fox’s sentiments are shared throughout the closeknit theatre community. USD first-year Rocco Gayoso, who’s playing Georg and Dieter, expanded on Fox’s attitude in light of a very busy schedule.
“I’m a STEM major and I’m in the choir so everyday I have to figure out when to eat,” Gayoso joked. “[Theatre] goes till 10 p.m. then I go to the library. It’s a lot of time, but it’s worth it. I joined the theatre community to find a group that I could be myself in. I found that here.”
Despite its challenging themes, “Spring Awakening” has inspired a passionate community within USD’s theatre program. As the cast prepares for their opening night, their camaraderie will highlight why this production remains relevant more than a century after its creation.
choreography.
USD Theatre during the dress rehearsal of ‘Spring Awakening.’
Photo courtesy of Cherishann Diamzon
‘South Park’ angers the White House
EMMA O’CONNELL ASST. A&C EDITOR
Paramount’s “South Park” is a satirical television show set in “South Park,” Co. that follows the exploits and antics of four grade-school boys — Stan, Kyle, Eric and Kenny. The show is dirty mouthed, dirty minded and totally irreverent. Controversial depictions of celebrities have long characterized this comedy. By reproducing the personalities of figures like Donald Trump, George Lucas, Morgan Freeman, Lady Gaga, Joe Biden and many others, “South Park” has built a reputation on being wholly unfiltered.
USD junior Mircea Kippes described her view of “South Park.”
“The series is bingeworthy,” Kippes explained. “It just makes fun of all of society. A lot of things [in the show] just shouldn’t have ever been said”
After producing 27 seasons of the animated dark-comedy, co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have become experts at insulting people. One of the main draws of the show is its unintimidated ability and willingness to make fun of everybody. In a 2004 interview for CBS News, the creative duo was asked if there was any “line” that they would not cross.
“I don’t know - we haven’t found it yet,” Stone responded.
Regardless of how vulgar and offensive any television show may be, few ever capture the attention of the White House. Yet “South Park” has managed to do so in its 27th season. The inspiration for much of the season’s content began in October 2024, when Donald Trump launched a legal attack on broadcast media.
In October, 2024, President Trump filed a lawsuit against
The sitcom pokes fun at recent events
Paramount — the parent company of CBS News — over what he described as deceptive editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris. CBS News used two different clips of the same statement from Harris to promote a Sunday newscast and a Monday newscast. Trump alleged that the edit misrepresented a political figure during an election year and therefore gave Harris an advantage in the 2024 presidential race.
Paramount filed a motion to dismiss the case in March 2025, calling it “an affront to the First Amendment.” The motion was denied, but the company ultimately agreed to settle the lawsuit for $16 million in July of this past summer.
In the eyes of many media producers, journalists, filmmakers and other creatives, the settlement represented a blow to the Fourth Estate: a moment when the government effectively bought out the press. This legal spectacle drew new public scrutiny to the studio’s handling of political and media satire, particularly given Paramount’s ownership of “South Park.”
A legal battle against President Donald Trump was not the only major headline involving Paramount at the time. Paramount and Skydance Media, a production and finance company, had announced a corporate merger. It was scheduled for completion in August 2025. Parker and Stone did not even attempt to hide their displeasure with the merger, as it delayed the premiere of “South Park’s” 27th season. On July 2 — the same day that Paramount reached a settlement with Donald Trump — “South Park’s” official X account posted a blunt message.
“This merger is a s---show and it’s f---ing up ‘South Park.’
We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow,” said Parker and Stone.
True to form, Parker and Stone’s public outrage didn’t stop there. The co-creators even went as far as to threaten legal action against Paramount and Skydance Media, accusing the new company of tortious interference. The conflict was resolved via a $1.25 billion streaming deal, and no lawsuit was actually filed.
Paramount’s settlement with Donald Trump, paired with the chaos surrounding the company’s Skydance merger, provided fresh inspiration — or perhaps more accurately, ammunition — for new episodes of “South Park.”
Season 27’s sociopolitical commentary was unmissable. The new episodes, released on July 23, take aim at Trump and Paramount alike. In the season premiere,” Sermon on the ‘Mount,” Trump’s character repeatedly tries to cozy up with Satan in bed. Another episode features a “60 Minutes” parody, complete with visibly uncomfortable broadcasters, which likely refers to Trump’s $16 million settlement with Paramount.
Later in the season, a Jesus character appears in “South Park’s” elementary schools. “Jesus” explains that he does not want to attend his classes, but “[has] to because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount.”
The scene continues to mock the company, with the Jesus character adding that he doesn’t want to end up like Stephen Colbert. CBS News canceled “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” — many believe it was because the host criticized the Trump-Paramount settlement.
In season 27, Parker and Stone did not hold back —
and the White House noticed.
“This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention,” Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers said in a statement to The Washington Post.
The season’s sociopolitical angles — when looked at in the context of the TrumpParamount settlement and the corporate merger — make Toreros question the relationship between media and government and about the role of dark-comedy.
Amy O’Connell, a Junior at USD, shared her opinion on the government’s involvement with the media.
“For the President to sue a company over what they say is a big deal,” O’Connell said. “No one wants the suspicion that their TV is being influenced by
the government or its money at all. It diminishes the credibility of all our news sources, not just CBS or Paramount.”
Herein lies the value of satirical comedies like “South Park.” USD Senior Victor Quirch seems to agree with O’Connell’s perspective. He offers further commentary on the role of dark comedy.
“These TV shows act as a mirror of society and give the people a channel to express themselves in a day and age where almost nothing you see online can be trusted,” Quirch said.
In the end, “South Park’s” new season lands right where it always has: poking at the pressure points of politics, media and culture. The Trump settlement, the Paramount merger and the uneasy questions they raise become raw material for the show’s loudest jokes.
‘South Park’ did a spin-off on the White House’s new renovations. Photo courtesy of @southpark/Instagram
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance in a ‘South Park’ skit, referencing Charlie Kirk in the ‘Master Debater’ episode. Photo courtesy of @southpark/Instagram
The four main characters in South Park — Kyle, Stan, Eric and Kenny. Photo courtesy of @sasa/Pinterest
Stopping food insecurity
Due to the government shutdown, federal funding of programs lapsed, leaving approximately 1.1 million students without access to resources.
As of 2020, about 3.8 million college students experienced
food insecurity, and a majority of those students reported multiple instances of skipping meals or eating less due to a lack of ability to afford food. This affects students’ abilities to focus and persist in their education.
Content by Katarina Maric/The
USD Vista
Spread by Emma Pirhala/The
USD Vista
Food banks across the country stepped up to fill gaps left by the government shutdown.
Photo courtesy
Torero Food Recovery Program
courtesy of @feedingsandiego/Instagram
At USD, there are currently 231 students registered for food pantry access.
USD and outside organizations offer many programs and food pantries that can help relieve student food insecurity.
USD Food Pantry
Located in Hahn University Center 116, USD’s Torero Food Pantry offers food, school supplies and hygiene products. For access, students must complete an application and answer questions about their current needs.
Scan the QR code to apply for Torero Food Pantry access
USD’s Dining Services hosts the Torero Food Recovery Program, where students can pick up food left over from catered events. Register online via the Dining Services website or text “TORERO” to (844) 962-1918. Students must sign a waiver beforehand and follow the procedures outlined by USD Dining Services.
“59%
of food insecure students
who
were potentially eligible for SNAP didn’t report receiving benefits” — Government Accountability Office (2024), on students not taking advantage of federal resources
CalFresh
Students who are low-income California residents and meet federal income eligibility rules can apply for CalFresh. Recipients may collect up to $292 per month in cash aid for grocery stores and even some farmers’ markets.
Food banks organize all the donations they receive.
Photo courtesy of @sdfoodbank/Instagram
Food bank volunteers pass out donated food to those in need. Photo courtesy
ARTS & FEATURE
‘Stop making veterans’ Department of
ANJALI DALAL-WHELAN ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of suicide, death and war.
“We would like to stop making veterans.” That’s the goal that Veterans for Peace San Diego Chapter President Gary Butterfield shared with attendees of the Department of History and Copley Library’s fifth annual event on Nov. 13.
Veterans for Peace is an international organization with 120 chapters, including San Diego’s Hugh Thompson Chapter. Their goals include increasing awareness about the costs of war and “abolishing war as an instrument of national policy.”
Three members of Veterans for Peace shared their diverse experiences at the event — with many more veterans in the audience supporting.
Jack Doxey, a 94-yearold Korean War veteran, came to the podium first.
Doxey described his experience being drafted to the war while still in college.
“Uncle Sam sent me this letter saying they could not win the Korean War without my help,” Doxey shared. “And I said to them, ‘Are you talking to me? Have you seen me? I’m five-foot-five, 130 pounds. I cannot help you.’ And they said ‘shut up and show up.’”
Doxey never wanted to go to war, and his experience fighting further enhanced his belief in peace. Even now, 74 years after his service, Doxey is still writing and reflecting on his experience. He shared some of his poetry with the audience.
“I saw myself in my enemy,” Doxey recited. “Yes, the color of their skin was slightly different. The shape of their eyes were not quite like mine. But, so much more was just like me. Like a thunderbolt it struck me. Never again will my country convince me that the others are not like me, because I saw myself in my enemy.”
After returning to the U.S., Doxey became an activist for peace. During the Q&A period, Doxey urged the audience to resist any call to join the military that could come in the future.
“I’m looking out at all of you, and I see [in] your eyes, and your youth that you have plans for your life,” Doxey said. “Don’t let anybody take that away from you. If they establish the draft again, I would ask and plead to all of you to get out on the streets and yell like bloody hell. And if I’m still alive, I will be right there with you.”
Unlike Doxey, the second speaker, USD Law alum Barry
History
and Copley Library host Veterans for Peace
Ladendorf, planned to serve in the military. Growing up in a community of veterans, Ladendorf felt that it was his duty to serve. After college, he went to Navy Officer training with the goal of proving himself in the Vietnam War.
But, his experiences during his two-and-a-half years of service changed his perception on the necessity of war.
Ladendorf served as an engineering officer on the USS Valley Forge. On this ship, he completed three cruises off the coast of Vietnam, from 1965 to 1968. He supported Marines in major battles as the United States started to lose control in Vietnam. During this period, Ladendorf described, “All hell began to break loose.”
Although Ladendorf was not physically on the ground fighting the war, he witnessed horrific events, which have persisted in his memory. On the ship, helicopters regularly landed carrying dead and dying Marines. When the morgue on the ship filled up, they had to leave body bags along the passageways that Ladendorf would walk through.
“I remember thinking I just couldn’t pay attention to it,” Ladendorf described. “I would just block it out and pretend it wasn’t there. And we couldn’t pretend it wasn’t there.”
But, Ladendorf couldn’t pretend when flying back
to the United States with five or six other people — and over 150 caskets.
“I thought of the families,” Ladendorf said. “At this time we were opposed to the war, we thought, ‘this is crazy, what are we doing here’… I remember thinking, ‘I’m never going to do this again.’”
After returning, Ladendorf attended law school at USD, and worked as a Deputy Attorney General for California.
Ladendorf shared how Veterans for Peace helped him cope with his memories of the war.
“I’m so glad that I found Veterans for Peace in 2005,” Ladendorf said. “That was a saving grace for me … I don’t want this to happen again, I don’t want to see other young men and women go to war.”
The final speaker was younger, and different from the image that many may have of what a veteran looks like. 22-year-old Joshua Lewis was medically discharged from Marine Corps training at the age of 20. Now, he advocates against what he calls the predatory nature of military recruitment.
Lewis explained the factors that pushed him to enlist out of high school, including recruiters he met at his school. Lewis’ story was relatable to some USD students in the audience.
USD senior Lauren
was train, I managed to disable myself, have friends die and I worsened my mental health significantly.”
Now that it has been two years since he left training, Lewis has learned more about the military, and is using his title as a veteran to effect change.
“I decided that willful ignorance was not a valid excuse to choose a life of violence,” Lewis said. “So, I began educating myself. It never really sat right with me that military recruiters were allowed to target underage teenagers in high school, especially those high schools in lower income areas.”
USD history professor Dr. Kathryn Statler organized the event alongside Copley Library. Statler explained why she believes this is an important conversation to have at USD.
Roberson explained how she was impacted by Lewis’ story.
“As someone who is almost 22, it was a very [eye] opening experience to the timeline that he was talking about that directly matched my timeline of military in my life,” Roberson said. “In the sense of [recruiters] coming into your high school and them being at the tables. He talks about how he knows a lot of friends who are still in the military who signed up out of high school, and I have numerous people from my high school that I know are in training right now.”
During the event, Lewis shared how his poor performance in school and mental health challenges motivated him to enlist in the Marines.
“To be brutally honest with you, I wanted to die in a blaze of glory overseas rather than taking my own life at home,” Lewis revealed.
Lewis started training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in September 2021 and was medically separated in January 2023 due to injuries sustained in training.
Lewis described the trauma that he experienced during this time.
“I was present for many suicide attempts, and three Marines did end up taking their own lives,” Lewis described. “In a short, two year career, where all I did
“For me, it’s really important that students think about Veterans Day and what that day actually means,” Statler said. “Instead of it just being Nov. 11, maybe I have the day off, you’re going to go shopping. But no, this comes about because of the end of World War I, the tremendous sacrifice of many all over the world; and a push for world peace that came out of World War I.”
Statler also explained the history of Veterans Day — formerly called Armistice Day — a day to celebrate world peace. In 1918, Nov. 11 marked the end of hostilities in World War I, which many believed would be the “war to end all wars.”
“Woodrow Willson recognized Armistice Day in 1919,” Statler explained. “After World War II, and during the Cold War, there’s a shift to thinking, ‘maybe we focus more on the sacrifice of the United States and American veterans,’ and so they shifted it to Veterans Day. And so what I really want students to think about now, is do we keep it Veterans Day? Do we go back to Armistice Day? Is it a combination of the two? But we’re thinking long and hard about the sacrifice of those veterans and what that means today.”
During the event, veterans expressed different views on what Nov. 11 should mean. Lewis believes that the U.S. should go back to celebrating Armistice Day instead of Veterans Day.
“As a veteran, I want to celebrate laying down my weapons,” Lewis shared. “Because, laying down weapons, ultimately, is what ends the blood shed.”
Veteran and USD Law alumnus Barry Ladendorf speaks about his experiences in the military to USD students. Hailey Howell/The USD Vista
Why Americans ignore Pope Leo Political tensions in America cause Pope’s
DAVID COOK OPINION EDITOR
When the first American Pope was elected, many expected it to bring U.S. Catholics closer to Rome. Some assumed it would spark a renewed sense of unity, or at least strengthen the cultural connection between American identity and the Vatican. Instead, the reaction went in the opposite direction.
Most pope-related headlines in the U.S. now revolve around him urging America to rethink something fundamental — immigration policy, treatment of refugees, political polarization or economic inequality. His comments are usually framed as a call for moral reflection, instead of viewing these issues as political.
And yet, Americans largely ignore him. The disconnect raises a simple question: if the Pope is one of us, why don’t Americans listen?
America’s current political climate has brought a deep issue to light: Americans no longer know how to hear moral authority. Political identity now outweighs religious identity, institutional trust has collapsed and we treat every moral issue as partisan. This destructive environment has created a world where even the first American pope ever cannot connect with the American people without appearing to take a political stance.
Some politicians, like JD Vance, share his faith, but not necessarily his priorities, while others, like Donald Trump, are completely outside the Catholic tradition. Figures like Donald Trump, who aren’t Catholic at all, have no religious obligation or reason to care what the Pope says.
As a result, you end up with a political landscape where neither Catholics nor non-Catholics feel especially connected to the Pope, which makes it harder for his messages to stick. Even though his commentary touches issues that affect far more than just Catholic voters, that mixed landscape helps explain why his message struggles to gain traction and people instinctively fall into America’s political trap of partisanship.
Some may argue that Americans ignore the pope’s calls because the U.S. is a secular nation, so why should nonCatholics, or even Catholics, feel compelled to listen to the Pope?
The Pope shouldn’t guide U.S. policy, and Americans do not
voice to be disregarded
owe him any political obedience. However, many people, both Catholics and not, ignore his critiques in a country where political identity often carries more than religious identity.
A possible answer as to why Americans tend to ignore Pope Leo XIV, the current American Pope, comes from Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent American Catholic Bishop. According to Barron, in discussion about the possibility of an American pope during Pope Francis’ papacy, the late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago once said, “Until America goes into political decline, there won’t be an American pope.”
George believed that as long as the U.S. dominated global politics and economics, other countries would resist giving it religious power as well. Choosing an American pope during peak U.S. influence, he argued, would make it seem as if America were running the world religiously.
The election of an American Pope wasn’t a celebration of American strength — it was a sign that the world no longer sees the U.S. as overwhelmingly dominant. And that decline matters for a simple reason: when a country is unsure of its politics, it becomes much less open to outside moral authority. People are more defensive, more politically consumed and far more likely to interpret any external critique as an attack rather than guidance. So, a
nation confident in its identity might listen — a nation worried about itself usually doesn’t.
That atmosphere makes it almost impossible for Pope Leo to break through. The U.S. is in a period in which political identity carries more weight than religious identity, and in which institutional trust has collapsed everywhere. In that environment, the Pope’s message lands in a country that feels talked at, rather than spoken with.
Some of the resistance also stems from declining trust in the Vatican. There are valid criticisms of the Church, like the history of child abuse or the male hierarchy leading to the exploitation of nuns. While these are real concerns, this is not what causes the majority of Americans to tune out the Pope’s calls for a deep moral reflection of treatment of immigrants. The distrust stems from assuming every papal statement is political, when the Church insists it speaks from a moral framework that predates modern politics entirely. Catholicism is conservative in the literal sense: it preserves tradition. It resists rapid shifts, not because it’s trying to score political points, but because it views its teachings as rooted in something unchanging.
The Church has also shown ability to adapt to societal changes, like when Pope Francis condemned laws criminalizing
homosexuality. 100 years ago, a pope making comments like that was inconceivable. In a culture where everything feels partisan, stability can look like stubbornness and adaptability can look like abandoning tradition.
Together, these perceptions create a strange tension for Americans, as the Pope doesn’t fit into either political agenda.
The Pope isn’t supposed to be a Republican or a Democrat. He is tasked with applying Catholic Social Teachings to the broader world. However, people in the U.S. treat any moral stance as political, which forces him into boxes he was never meant to occupy.
The Pope critiques parts of both U.S. political parties and intentionally avoids fitting into either one. In America, neutrality is often interpreted as reluctance to commit, rather than as an attempt to remain above partisanship.
Because he doesn’t affirm either side’s worldview, neither side feels represented by him, which seems to be enough for people to tune him out.
But even beyond the political moment, there’s a deeper communication gap. When the Pope addresses immigration, climate change or global inequality, he frames them as moral concerns affecting human dignity. Americans tend to hear them as political positions. These issues have become so polarized
in U.S. culture that almost any mention of them feels like taking a side. So even when the Pope isn’t trying to be political, he gets treated like he is.
The Pope isn’t supposed to be easy to listen to. Challenging people is written into the job description. When a Pope repeatedly calls attention to issues like immigration or inequality, it’s usually because the Church believes something is seriously wrong. His job is to point out the moral blind spots that many people have chosen to ignore, and he has done just that on issues of economic inequality, immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border and the extreme political polarization in America.
The first American Pope wasn’t chosen to mirror our politics, but to challenge the way we see ourselves and those around us. If you feel uncomfortable when Pope Leo XIV makes a call to Americans for a deep reflection of, for example, our immigration tactics, then he is probably talking to you. The Pope isn’t meant to flatter or fit into our partisan political system. He is meant to push it, to challenge it and in many of his calls to Americans, to encourage us to question decisions by the suits in Washington. At the very least, his words should push us to examine not just our policies, but the values we bring to discussion around them.
Pope Leo XIV walks through the Vatican after being elected the 266th pope in history.
Photo courtesy of @pontifex/Instagram
Women’s basketball jumps into a new season
Torero’s find footing in first few games
MACKENZIE SMITH CONTRIBUTOR
The USD women’s basketball team opened their season on Nov. 3 with a home matchup against Bethesda University — a game memorable less for its competitiveness and more for its unusual circumstances. Bethesda arrived with only five players total, a large difference from their typical roster of 14. Most of the team had been wiped out by a stomach virus, and although one player tried to fight through, she only made it to the second quarter before ultimately leaving. This resulted in the contest shifting from a standard 5-on-5 to an unexpected 5-on-4 matchup. In order to have a complete game, there needs to be five players from each team on the court, with at least two subs, but even with the unusual circumstances the game continued.
Bethesda competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA), whereas USD competes in the more competitive NCAA Division I West Coast Conference, making it difficult to predict how well Bethesda would have done if they had a full roster. Despite the imbalance, both teams played with determination, but the Toreros quickly took
control and ultimately secured a dominant victory to start their season on a high note.
The win served as a strong start to the season. However, the lack of substitutes and uneven matchup in the game made for a very slow start to the season. While USD performed well, the ease of the competition offered limited insight into how the team could perform against different opponents.
On Nov. 5, USD traveled up the coast for their second game against the University of California, Irvine. This game offered USD the opportunity to play in a more competitive atmosphere, ending with a final score of 54-72.
Olivia Owens, a USD firstyear, reflected on the game.
“I think for a lot of us it was our first experience playing college basketball,” Owens said. “To be honest I was a little nervous. It was a good learning experience for us. We got exposed to areas we could work on and also things we do really well at.”
Having a stronger, more evenly matched opponent forced the team to adjust to a faster level of play and reflect on how they could improve. The match offered valuable insight and allowed the team to properly assess their strengths and weaknesses.
On Nov. 13, the Toreros
hosted Arizona State University (ASU) on USD’s home court. The game ended with a 47-79 loss, yet the stadium had an incredibly exciting atmosphere. USD worked hard and managed to keep up with ASU during the first quarter, ending the period with a score of 12-21. But, as the game progressed, ASU found their rhythm — repeatedly knocking down shots from the three point line and widening the gap.
Despite the loss, the game kept the audience engaged. The stadium was vibrant with students, families and younger athletes from around the community.
Mckenzie McMoore, a USD first-year, commented on the energy in the stadium.
“ASU is a bigger team, so
you definitely felt the energy from both sides,” Mcmoore said. “You have ASU pushing at USD and USD pushing right back. The atmosphere for this game was a lot more intense and you had more motivation to get up on your feet and cheer.”
Part of what fueled the intensity of this game is ASU’s reputation as a member of the Power Four conferences, giving them significantly more resources, facilities and recruiting reach over smaller programs like USD. Going head-to-head with a higher ranking team tested the Toreros in ways the earlier games had not. But rather than discouraging the team, the Toreros used this as motivation to play hard and focus their attention on improving.
Owens reflected on the team’s mindset.
“At the beginning of the season, there’s going to be lots of highs and lows,” Owens said. “So it’s about focusing on ourselves and making sure we’re getting better every single day.”
As the season continues, the women’s basketball team remains committed to improvement, both on and off the court. From building chemistry and strengthening communication to refining their game strategies, the Toreros are embracing every challenge as a chance to develop.
Looking ahead, the Toreros return to their home court on Nov. 24 for a matchup against New Mexico State University, offering another chance to showcase their progress.
Last week’s crossword answers:
USD women’s basketball takes on Arizona State University in the JCP.
Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Smith
SPORTS
Club rugby climbs up a division
Toreros play first D1A game versus UCSB at Manchester Field
From Rugby, Page 1 college rugby within the United States. This year, the Toreros are scheduled to clash against teams such as Stanford, USC and UCSB. Most recently, this past weekend they secured a win against UCSB. Having played in the rain on Manchester Field, the final score resulted with their competition team tying 27-27 in the first match and a 64-0 win with their development team. USD senior and rugby player, Daniel Suhr explained the biggest adjustment that the team has to go through.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for a lot of the guys as they get to showcase their talents that they have been building during the past couple years on the second side and at training,”
Suhr said.“While the lineup will look a lot different this year, that doesn’t change the expectations that we have as a team. Now, each week is a new top matchup that will take extreme focus and preparation so that we can succeed as a team. However, just because we are playing better teams, it does not mean that we need to change what we do. We will prepare with the intensity that we always have and set ourselves up to be in the best position to win on Saturdays.”
USD senior Nate Leff also added some insight on what it means to change league play for the team at this point in his career.
“Playing at D1AA for the past years has been great, but being
able to jump up to D1A and being in the top of the top with the best competition in the U.S., is huge and it’s a start to something new. So we’re excited to get that going and grow the club even more. It has grown a lot from when I first started as a freshman to now.”
After having recently appeared off three straight D1AA national championships, and being victorious in two of them, USD rugby is looking to take that momentum into the D1A division.
“We are going to be taking it one team at a time, one match at a time, as we look to continue to build on our program’s historic success,” Suhr added.
With about half the lineup of seniors graduating last year, Suhr mentions that it is necessary to have new players step up and fill in key roles that were left from last years’ team.
Leff also commented on being in a leadership position on the team.
“So this year we have a lot of new guys, a lot of underclassmen,” Leff said.
“So being an upperclassman, specifically on leadership, is fun, because I kind of get to help lead the new guys, and they get someone to look up to. Leading with my fellow upperclassmen leaders is awesome because we all get to help grow the team and build the culture that we want based off the past few years.”
Leff shared his favorite moments from the season so far and how the connections
they are building will benefit the team next season. The fall season acts as a preseason, with national competitions happening in the spring.
“So far, I think the best part has been meeting all the new guys and recruits that have come in just forming that bond because it’s going to set us up for a good season in the spring,” Leff said. “This semester is a lot about getting to know each other and kind of getting that connection off the field, because if we have the connection off the field, then it makes the moments on field a lot easier and the game just flows so much better.”
For the guys on the team, it’s not just about playing hard — it’s about getting people to actually notice. Leff explained how the team is supported by the school but also wishes for more engagement from the students.
“I know I could speak for the whole team, we wish we just got more people to understand what rugby is in the first place, and it starts with just getting people out and coming to watch,” Leff said.
“Having people out and watching the game is always a good time, because it also pushes the boys on the field to play better, and it creates a stronger environment. As far as understanding the level of competition, it’s like playing D1 football like the top of the top, best of the best in the country. And it’d be nice if they understood how hard we’ve worked to get to this level.”
USD sophomore and rugby player Luke Roe described what it’s like to come off a national runner-up season and he attributed it to his hardworking team and coaches who have always held everyone to the highest standard.
“That has only intensified this season,” Roe said. “Our team aims to continue excelling on the field, in the weight
room and in the classroom.” Although USD’s rugby team didn’t take the win last week, they proved in the standings that they are up for this years’ challenge. This game is just a small glimpse of what is to come, but is yet still not predictive of how they will do this season. USD rugby plans to take Grand Canyon University to the pitch on Nov. 22 at Manchester Field.
Torero club surf’s fall season opens
USD builds momentum in NSAA meet
friends there to support.”
NOLAN LUMBY CONTRIBUTOR
The water is getting colder, but that hasn’t slowed down the University of San Diego club surf team. Over two consecutive weekends, the Toreros achieved strong individual results at the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s (NSSA) college meets held at Black’s Beach and Huntington Beach. The team competed in the standard NSSA format, where schools enter multiple athletes in each division.
USD opened the competition at Black’s Beach, where USD sophomore Sophie Whelan delivered one of the program’s strongest early-season performances.
Competing in the women’s shortboard division, Whelan advanced through her first two rounds with scores of 10.77 and 11.17, finishing second in both. Whelan reached the semifinal round and placed third with a score of 7.44, ultimately ending the event in ninth overall.
“It’s always awesome to get through a couple of rounds,” Whelan said.“Especially here, in San Diego, with a lot of
Whelan recalled her performance, leaving some insight into 2026.
“The team is super stoked, we are headed up to Santa Cruz next semester, and that is always one of the best competitions of the year,” Whelan said.
The following weekend at Huntington Beach, USD achieved its highest finish in the College Longboard division, where Alex Roberts
placed seventh overall.
In his opening heat on Sunday, Roberts scored a 9.33 and remained competitive throughout each round he surfed. His performance established a benchmark for USD in the early part of the longboard season, which is known for its tight scoring margins and diverse styles.
In the men’s shortboard competition at Huntington, USD encountered one of the
most competitive and fast-paced divisions of the fall season.
The bracket featured strong lineups from several schools, making heats where advancing often hinged on a single scoring ride or a last-minute exchange.
For USD, this event served more as an early-season test of pace and positioning rather than a results-oriented outing, providing clear insight into the level of urgency needed deep in the NSSA shortboard
rounds. Across both events, the Toreros produced several steady individual performances that set a foundation for the upcoming winter stretch of the NSSA college schedule.
The USD surf team is preparing for the next event on the NSSA calendar, which will take place in Huntington Beach. While early-season results provide a glimpse into the team’s competitive standing, the surf team plays a more significant role on campus than just its scores.
USD senior Logan DePaul offered an outside perspective.
“I have some friends on the team, and from what I’ve seen, no other club on campus brings as much excitement and energy,” DePaul said. “It is also a great way to meet people from all over with similar hobbies.”
The team attracts students from various academic backgrounds and class years, fostering connections through early-morning practices, travel weekends and shared experiences in the water. In this way, the surf team has become both an athletic outlet and a close-knit community that embodies the school’s coastal identity, which many students associate with USD.
USD’s surf team competes in the NSSA tournament.
Photo courtesy of @cameronsphoto/Instagram
USD rugby doing a lineout in a game versus SDSU. Photo courtesy of @sampuentesphotography
USD rowing ends season on Mission Bay
Men’s team claims victory in home water for first time in seven years
NOLAN LUMBY CONTRIBUTOR
The University of San Diego’s rowing programs closed their fall schedules this past weekend, competing on the familiar waters of Mission Bay in two separate regattas that provided a final look at both the men’s and women’s squads before winter training is set to begin.
On Nov. 9, the women’s rowing team wrapped up its season at the San Diego Fall Classic, where they entered
seven boats in both varsity and novice events — a competition category specifically for rowers who are in their first year of rowing or racing. Collegiate rowing programs often feature multiple crews in the same category, differentiated by varsity level or boat class. USD’s results demonstrated this depth.
The Toreros’ strongest performance came from the Varsity 4+, which finished eighth in a competitive field with a time of 19:07.038 minutes. Varsity 4 decribes
the number of rowers in the boat plus the coxswain.
The Varsity 8+ placed 10th, clocking in at 16:49.999 minutes. Meanwhile, the Second Varsity 8+ and Third Varsity 8+ finished in the middle of their respective heats, recording times of 17:23.621 minutes and 18:13.331 minutes, respectively.
USD also competed in several novice races, highlighted by the Novice 8+, which achieved a time of 21:57.268 minutes in its first competitive outing.
USD Women’s Head Coach Katie Thurstin summarized the final meet. “It turned out to be a beautiful day,” Thurstin said. “It was a great opportunity to race against fast teams and get everyone on the water. [We learned a lot], highlighting the improvements seen across the boats, especially among the first-year rowers who were participating in their first race.”
The men’s rowing team delivered one of its strongest performances of the season at a home regatta that featured both
local and regional programs.
USD won the Open 8+ event for the first time in seven years, narrowly defeating UC San Diego in the primary race. A second Torero boat finished fourth, but was placed seventh after incurring a 60-second penalty for a buoy violation.
USD also secured second and fourth places in the Open 4+ category and achieved a clean sweep of the top two spots in both the Frosh/ Novice 8+ and Frosh/Novice 4+ events. USD’s next official races will begin in early 2026.
Women’s tennis wraps up fall season Toreros look to defend their first WCC regular season title
The reigning WCC regular season champions and by season-end ranked No. 39, USD women’s tennis team had a series of competitions stretching from September to November in preparation for season play, starting in the spring. With contests differentiating from singles, doubles and team play, the Toreros contended against some of the best in the nation.
Kicking off the fall season, USD junior Charlotte Keitel represented USD playing in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Championships. After playing in the pre-qualifiers with Kansas State last year, where she won accolades such as Big 12 AllFreshman Team and multiple Academic All-Big 12 Team, Keitel ultimately fell in the first round of qualifiers 3-6, 6-7 (1-7) to Stanford’s Tianmei Wang.
Playing on their home courts for the first time this season, the Toreros made their presence known at the USTA SoCal Women’s Tennis Championships. All singles players won their opening-round matches and the team advanced to the semifinals in both the singles and doubles competitions.
Several Toreros even made their USD debuts, including USD first-years Vilma KrebsHyllested and Maria Shmakova who both made it past the first round. Krebs-Hyllested made it all the way to the quarterfinals individually — even winning the rounds of 64 and 16 in straight sets. When paired with USD sophomore Hannah Read, the duo battled through to the semifinal after gritty 6-2 and 7-5 results. Read, who is the defending WCC Freshman of the Year, continued her own personal
tear, as she made it all the way through to the semifinals with a tournament record of 3-1, winning her first two matchups via straight sets. USD sophomore Anni Puls also battled for wins in the first two rounds of the singles draw before being eliminated.
Staying in America’s finest city, the Toreros commanded competition in the fifth annual San Diego Veterans Tennis Classic, dropping only two total points over the weekend in a competition that featured Navy — a 5-0 sweep of Fresno State and conference opponent LMU.
San Diego showcased its teamwork, playing to a perfect 6-0 in doubles play on the weekend, with Puls and Shmakova pairing, along with USD junior Kristina Nordikyan and Krebs-Hyllested. In the singles draw, Puls battled
through a three-set duel that helped secure San Diego’s 4-1 win over Navy. Against Fresno State, Shmakova and Krebs-Hyllested shined, opening with 6-0 “bagel” sets — a tennis term for shutouts in which the opponent fails to win a game before closing out both matches in straight sets. The long weekend proved the team’s endurance, as Shmakova and Puls each pulled out tiebreaking wins on the final day of play.
Heading into the ITA Southwest Regionals, the Toreros posted a perfect 6-0 mark in singles, qualifying with five of those wins coming in straight sets.
In the first round of maindraw play, Keitel cruised through her opener, taking the first set 6-2 before closing with a 6-0 bagel in the second. USD sophomore Gabby Gregg won
three straight matches in her first appearance of the fall, advancing to the round of 32. Read went the deepest for the Toreros, earning back-to-back straight-set victories to reach the round of 16.
At the Thunderbird Invitational over Halloween weekend, San Diego’s doubles teams proved downright frightening for opponents. The pairing of KrebsHyllested and Nordikyan led the charge, sweeping all three of their matches — persevering with a pair of 7-5 wins over duos from SMU and ASU, before closing with a 6-3 victory against UCSB.
On the final day of play, the Toreros’ doubles lineup went undefeated behind strong performances from Gregg and Keitel, who rolled 6-1, and Read and Shmakova, who followed with a 6-4 win. The Toreros
collected seven doubles victories, with four players also picking up at least one singles win. Closing out the fall season, Keitel and Read traveled to Seattle to represent San Diego at the ITA West Sectional Championships. Reflecting on the conclusion of the fall slate, Keitel commented on what makes USD women’s tennis an exciting watch.
“A good atmosphere outside the court and bringing it inside the court, so I feel it is more investing when you know that we are all super into it,” Keitel said. “We know we have each other’s back and we are also fighters so it is always entertaining to watch.”
In the team’s biggest individual test this fall, Keitel opened main-draw play against the tournament’s No. 1 seed — UCLA’s Mayu Crossley. After dropping a tight first set 4-6, Keitel responded with a dominant 6-1 second set before ultimately falling in the third to Crossley — who went on to finish the event undefeated. Read also drew a tough first round opponent in UCLA’s Kate Fakih, the tournament’s No. 6 seed, pushing the first set to a tiebreaker before falling in two sets. Keitel rebounded in the consolation draw, advancing to the semifinals. She rolled through her opening match 6-1, 6-2 and followed, winning in the quarterfinals in straight sets with a pair of 6-3 against Stanford’s Tianmei Wang, avenging her previous loss to her in the first round of ITA All-American Qualifying. After a fall filled with breakout performances, the Toreros turn their attention to the spring, where regular season matches begin in early January. With the schedule set to be released in the coming weeks, San Diego carries strong momentum and confidence as they aim to defend their WCC regular-season title and build on the foundation laid this fall.
GABRIEL ROMERO CONTRIBUTOR
USD first-year Vilma Krebs-Hyllested played at the San Diego Veterans Tennis Classic.
Photo courtesy of @usdwtennis/Instagram