BROWNWOOD, Texas – Homecoming Weekend at Howard Payne University saw two student-athletes honored as royalty for the senior class of 2027. Abby Henderson, a middle hitter for the volleyball team, was named queen by her peers on Saturday, October 3. Right beside her was Jacob Hill, an infielder for the baseball team, who happened to be paired with Henderson as he heard his name called as Homecoming King immediately after.

At Gordon Wood Stadium, the nominees lined up in the middle of the field to finally hear the nominations. Once Henderson's name was called, she was crowned and cheered for throughout the stands.

"I felt a bit of relief and a whole lot of joy! I just couldn't stop smiling," Henderson said. "I don't think happy describes it enough. It was truly God-filled joy."

Abby, daughter of Daniel and Summer Henderson, was a six-sport athlete at Junction High School where she played volleyball, basketball, softball, track, golf, and cheer. She was Named All-West Texas and First Team All-District while leading her team to three straight bi-district titles. Henderson also participated in National Honor Society (NHS), student council, FFA, and 4-H.

After spending her freshman year at Austin College, Abby transferred to Howard Payne University to continue her college career. Abby is majoring in Biomedical Science and is apart of the Sumners Scholarship. She also is involved with the start-up of the new sorority on campus, Kappa Alpha Gamma (KAG), where she serves as an executive for the organization.

On the court for Howard Payne, Henderson also reached the 100 career kills milestone earlier on Saturday afternoon. She has played 84 sets for HPU and is hitting .211. She serves a pivotal leadership role for the volleyball team where she was named a captain for this season.

"I can't tell you how special it was to see all of my teammates there cheering me on too," Henderson remarked. "They hold such a place in my heart, and I was so proud to have them there."

"Abby has truly made her mark on not only our volleyball team, but Howard Payne and the greater Brownwood community as a whole," shared assistant volleyball coach Micah Taylor. "It has truly been a blessing and a gift to call Abby a member of our family, and hope that her homecoming selection can be a small representation of the praise she truly deserves for her servant leadership and how she lives in the ways God intended her to."

Meanwhile, Jacob Hill was nominated by the students at HPU to be one of three candidates for the role of Homecoming King before hearing his name over the speakers at Gordon Wood Stadium.

"I did not expect to find myself in the position but I feel blessed that people thought so highly enough about me to vote for me," Hill said. "After being nominated as king, I was very grateful. I'm thankful my parents and youngest brother could make the trip out here and celebrate this special moment with me ... but through it all, thanks and all glory to God for this moment and the moments to come." 

Jacob, son of John and Lisa Hill, played golf, soccer, baseball, and swam at St. Maria Goretti Catholic High School in Hagerstown, Maryland. He also succeeded in the classroom where he served as president of the senior class and finished as the Salutatorian. Jacob also helped out at his hometown church working for the sound team and being a FCA huddle leader.

"Such a fitting achievement for someone that exemplifies many positive qualities of a student-athlete on our campus," head baseball coach Stephen Lynn shared. "Jacob balances his involvement in various organizations across campus with baseball while maintaining a high level of success in the classroom."

Before coming to Howard Payne, Hill spent time at Hagerstown Community College. His first year at HPU, Hill came in classified as a junior and majoring in mathematics. He also joined the baseball team serving as a corner infield power bat. Last year he hit slashed .250/.429/.313 coming out to be a .742 OPS with 4 RBI.

ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY

Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.

Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.