FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  The Methodist University Department of Athletics is pleased to announce Matthew Hurley and Carolina Simpkins as its 2025-26 Senior Athletes of the Year. Hurley becomes the first men's tennis athlete in department history to earn the honor, while Simpkins is the eighth women's soccer athlete to receive the distinction.

Hurley, who graduated with a degree in sport management, was a four-year standout for the Monarchs men's tennis program.

A native of Faulconbridge, New South Wales, Australia, Hurley made an immediate impact during his freshman season, stepping into the No. 1 singles position and leading the team with 14 victories. His impressive debut earned him USA South Rookie of the Year honors along with a spot on the All-USA South First Team.

He followed that performance with another First Team All-Conference selection as a sophomore before producing one of the finest seasons in recent program history as a junior. Hurley compiled an 18-1 overall singles record, including a perfect 6-0 mark in USA South play, to earn USA South Player of the Year honors while repeating as a First Team All-Conference selection.

A three-time team MVP, Hurley capped his collegiate career by earning First Team All-USA South recognition for the fourth consecutive season after another 14-win campaign. He finished with 55 career singles victories, tying the Methodist program record  

Simpkins, a native of Sanford, North Carolina, graduated with a degree in kinesiology following an outstanding four-year career with the Methodist women's soccer program.

After serving primarily as a reserve during her freshman campaign, Simpkins claimed the starting goalkeeper role as a sophomore and quickly established herself among the conference's elite. She posted an 8-3-1 record, a 0.62 goals-against average, and a .827 save percentage, leading the USA South in both goals-against average and save percentage. Her breakout season earned her USA South Goalkeeper of the Year honors and a place on the All-USA South First Team.
 
Simpkins followed with another stellar junior season, recording a 10-5 record, a 0.94 goals-against average, and a .827 save percentage while leading the conference in shutouts. She also earned First Team All-USA South honors for a second consecutive year and was selected to the USA South All-Tournament Team after posting three clean sheets during the Monarchs' run to their second conference tournament championship in three seasons.
 
As a senior, Simpkins added Honorable Mention All-USA South recognition before concluding her career among the program's all-time leaders. She ranks fourth in goals-against average (1.00) and save percentage (.808), fifth in shutouts (17), and sixth in both saves (193) and wins (23).