Howard Payne's men's tennis season came to a close on Friday afternoon in Belton, Texas, as the Yellow Jackets faced Mary Hardin-Baylor in the opening round of the American Southwest Conference Championship. Despite the 4-0 final, Howard Payne showed flashes of competitiveness throughout the lineup against a strong Crusaders squad.
In doubles play, the pairing of Luke Flemming and Gabriel Keeney-McCollough battled at the No. 1 spot, staying within striking distance in a 4-2 decision. Parker Hoel and Riley Harker, along with the duo of Ben Mabry and Eli Hall, also competed at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, respectively, as UMHB secured the early point.
Singles play provided some of the Yellow Jackets' strongest moments of the afternoon. At the top position, Gabriel Keeney-McCollough put together one of the most competitive showings of the match, edging ahead early in his first set before narrowly winning 5-4. His performance set the tone for Howard Payne's fight across the courts.
Parker Hoel and Riley Harker each continued that effort in their respective matches, working through tough points and extended rallies against their opponents. At No. 4 singles, Hoel managed to push through games in the opening set, while Harker battled at the No. 2 position against a challenging draw.
Luke Flemming at No. 3 singles and Eli Hall at No. 5 both showed resilience, continuing to compete deep into their matches. Benjamin Beaudin rounded out the lineup at No. 6, gaining valuable postseason experience against a tough opponent.
While the final score favored Mary Hardin-Baylor, the Yellow Jackets' effort and determination were evident throughout the match as they closed out their 2026 campaign on the conference stage.
Head Coach Josh Lopez reflected on his team's performance following the match, saying, "I'm proud of the way our guys competed today. We had moments across the lineup where we really challenged them and showed what we're capable of. This group kept fighting, and that's something we'll carry forward as we continue to build this program."
