ABILENE, Texas -- The Howard Payne Men's Tennis team suffered their final defeat for the 2025 campaign after falling to LeTourneau University Thursday 4-0. 

It was a wet and cloudy day on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University where the ASC Tennis Championships were being held. Unfortunately, it rained defeat for Howard Payne as they couldn't find any magic against LeTourneau, dropping all potential sets. 

In the doubles rounds, Michael Woodard and Riley Harker highlighted the Men's #1 team, dropping the contest 1-6 to LeTourneau's Zach Farris and Fernando Vazquez. The #2 Team consisted of Gabriel Keeney-McCoullough and Nicolas Gates. Gates, who's usually on the #1 squad, was put on the #2 squad for strategic reasons by Head Coach Mark Hathorn. However, they too fell. The Men's #3 team which consisted of River Prado and Parker Hoel also found no magic. 

On the singles side, Howard Payne just couldn't find their groove against LeTourneau, losing every possible match. Nicolas Gates, who played in the #1 singles match, fell to LeTourneau's Farris 3-6 and 1-6. 

Many singles matches were unfinished, as Noah Baiani faced off against Brayden Money. Baiani made the match very interesting, using his frame and power to keep him in the contest. However, as close as he got, he couldn't close it out, losing 3-6 and 3-4. 

Howard Payne made great strides this year under first year Head Coach Mark Hathorn. The program is on the rise and everyone in the building can feel it. Losses such as these are great for building upon and growing as a team.