Box Score

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan women's tennis opened its 2025 campaign at the LSF Sports Complex on Saturday morning, falling 5-2 to Wartburg in the Prairie Wolves' home opener.

The Prairie Wolves battled throughout the match, highlighted by strong play from senior Caitlin Hudson and freshman Kylie Engelsman, who each picked up singles wins. Hudson also teamed with senior Crystal Craft to earn a convincing victory at No. 1 doubles.

Despite NWU's efforts, the Knights claimed the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions before securing four singles victories to seal the match.

Head coach Lee Steinbrook praised his team's fight and the standout performances. "Really great day for Caitlin Hudson winning both of her matches. Congrats to Kylie for winning her first college match in a hard-fought three-set singles win. The future is very bright for her. Also dominant win at 1 doubles by Craft/Hudson to set the tone for the season, as well as two other hard-fought matches in doubles. Hard-fought match that we came out on the wrong side of but gives us hope for the season fighting so hard against a really good team."

How It Happened

Doubles
Craft and Hudson wasted no time at the top spot, rolling to a 6-1 victory to set the early tone. However, Wartburg answered at the bottom two courts, taking narrow 6-4 decisions at both No. 2 and No. 3 to earn the doubles point.

Singles
Engelsman provided NWU's first singles point in her collegiate debut, rallying from a first-set loss to claim a thrilling 1-6, 7-5, 10-8 win at No. 2. Hudson followed with another comeback effort, outlasting her opponent 7-5, 4-6, 10-6 at the No. 4 slot.

The Knights responded with straight-set wins at No. 1, No. 3, No. 5, and No. 6 to secure the team victory.

Match Results

Doubles

1. Craft/Hudson (NWU) def. Johnson/Schreckengast (WC) – 6-1
2. Kathman/Bloom (WC) def. Engelsman/Brown (NWU) – 6-4
3. Olson/Olson (WC) def. Erickson/Smith (NWU) – 6-4

Singles

1. Kathman (WC) def. Craft (NWU) – 6-2, 6-1
2. Engelsman (NWU) def. Johnson (WC) – 1-6, 7-5, 10-8
3. Bloom (WC) def. Brown (NWU) – 6-0, 6-4
4. Hudson (NWU) def. Schreckengast (WC) – 7-5, 4-6, 10-6
5. K. Olson (WC) def. Smith (NWU) – 6-1, 6-0
6. K. Olson (WC) def. Erickson (NWU) – 6-1, 6-0

Final Score: Wartburg 5, Nebraska Wesleyan 2

Up Next

Nebraska Wesleyan continues its early-season schedule on the road, traveling to face Central College on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. in Pella, Iowa.