The Howard Payne women's tennis team concluded its 2026 season at the American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament on Friday, falling 4-0 to Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.

Despite the final score, the Yellow Jackets showed competitiveness early, particularly in doubles play. The pairing of Hannah Lightner and Victoria Ramos battled closely at the No. 1 position, dropping a tight 4-3 decision. At No. 2 doubles, Kendra Werlein and Nina Delafuente competed against a strong UMHB duo before falling 6-2.

In singles action, Howard Payne continued to fight across the lineup. At the top two positions, Hannah Lightner and Victoria Ramos each turned in competitive efforts, narrowly falling by identical 5-4 scores in their respective matches. Nina Delafuente picked up a game in her match at No. 3 singles, while Kendra Werlein competed at the No. 4 spot against a tough opponent.

Although the match was decided before the lower positions could be completed, the Yellow Jackets remained engaged and competitive throughout the contest against a talented Mary Hardin-Baylor squad on its home courts.

With the result, Howard Payne closes out its season on the conference stage, gaining valuable experience against top ASC competition. The Yellow Jackets showed resilience throughout the year, continuing to compete and develop as a unit while laying the groundwork for future success.

Head Coach Josh Lopez reflected on the group following the match, saying, "I'm really proud of the way this team competed all season. We faced a lot of tough opponents, but our players continued to show fight, improve, and represent Howard Payne the right way. This group set a strong foundation, and we're excited about where this program is headed."