BROWNWOOD, Texas – Starting off American Southwest Conference East Division play, East Texas Baptist University earned an 8-1 victory against Howard Payne University. ETBU is now 9-3 on the year and 1-0 in the East Division.
 
Starting off with a 3-0 lead in doubles, ETBU took the first three matches easily. Max Karseno and Sam Black won the no. 1 match, 8-1. Erick Van Zyl and Jacob Daniell then took the no. 2 match, 8-3, and Zachary Couch and Orren Ladner won the no. 3 match, 8-3.
 
Taking the no. 1 through no. 5 matches in singles, the Tigers cruised to the win. Slade Austin won the no. 1 match, 6-3, 6-1, followed by Ladner's tiebreaking win at no. 2, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Van Zyl won the no. 3 match, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, and Kayden Lengacher earned the win at no. 4, 6-4, 7-5. Drew Van Wyk then won the no. 5 match, 6-2, 6-4, for the match win.
 
ETBU will face Hardin-Simmons University at 3:00 p.m. in Brownwood for their second match of the day.