'Roo Tennis Splits with Howard Payne

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Austin College women's tennis team earned its first victory of the season, and the first career coaching win for Syvoney Ybarra, with a 5-4 decision over Howard Payne while the men's team fell 8-1 against the Jackets on Saturday afternoon.

The 'Roo women fell behind 2-1 in doubles competition, with Kylie Imperial and Maya Leisey dropping an 8-4 match at flight one while Sierra Thomas and Bailey Standokes were edged 8-6 on line two. The 'Roos picked up a win at line three by default.

Imperial battled to a 6-1, 7-6 (10-4) win on line one in singles play, while Leisey and Tara Tran dropped their matches on lines two and four, respectively, by scores of 1-6, 3-6 and 4-6, 3-6. Austin College got two more wins by defeault on lines five and six, and Standokes clinched the win on line three, coming away with a 6-4, 6-4 victory.

On the men's side, the 'Roos fell behind 3-0 after doubles play, dropping line three by default while Tate Nelson and Mark Lobdell fell 8-1 on line one and Yudai Abe and Neel Gautam were bested 8-4 on line two.

Nelson put up a strong effort on line one but came up short in singles play, falling 6-7 (6-10), 2-6, and Lobdell dropped a 0-6, 2-6 decision on line two. Abe was defeated 0-6, 2-6 on line three, and Gautum earned a three set win on line four, winning 6-4, 3-6, 10-8. Matthew Fuhr lost 6-7 (4-10), 4-6 on line five and Austin College dropped flight six by default.