AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE TENNIS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Games: February 24 - March 2
, 2026
MEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Payne Smith, Jr., Hardin-Simmons
Payne Smith finished the weekend 4-0 for the Cowboys, competing in first-flight singles and doubles against Concordia Texas and Southwestern University. In a 5-2 win over Concordia Texas, Smith teamed with Gabriel Harris to defeat Daniel Beckles and Diego Garcia 7-6 in doubles play. He then earned a straight-set victory over Beckles in singles, 6-2, 6-0, to complete a 2-0 day.
Against Southwestern, Smith and Harris continued their strong play with a 6-2 doubles victory over Joseph Synman and Porter Arens. In singles, Smith defeated Ashton Ellis 6-4, 6-4 to cap an undefeated weekend. Smith has had a strong start to the season and will next compete against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Thursday, March 5.
WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Victoria Ramos, Sr., Howard Payne
Senior Victoria Ramos went 4-0 on the weekend, helping the Yellow Jackets to a 1-1 record. In singles, Ramos defeated Farah Standley of Texas Lutheran 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 2 position. In the same match, she partnered with Hannah Lightner to earn a 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles.
In a 4-3 win over Austin College, Ramos again secured a victory at No. 1 doubles alongside Lightner, winning 6-1. She also dominated her singles match at the No. 2 spot, defeating Elizabeth Mojica 6-0, 6-0. Ramos was previously named to this year’s ASC Women’s Tennis Players to Watch list.
OTHER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES
Kristyn Dunn (East Texas Baptist) helped the Tigers defeat the University of St. Thomas (Houston) with two wins on the weekend. At No. 2 doubles, Dunn and partner Jazymne Ford-Schartner defeated Aimee Tran and Adriana Ituralde 7-6 (7-4). Dunn also earned a 6-4, 7-6 victory over Ituralde at No. 4 singles.
Mark Armbruster (East Texas Baptist) went 2-0 in a 7-0 Tigers win over the University of St. Thomas (Houston). He won his doubles match 6-3 with partner Erick Van Zyl and secured a hard-fought singles victory 0-6, 6-3, 10-3.