LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Wesleyan men's tennis enters the 2026 season with momentum, confidence and a clear sense of direction after putting together one of the most successful campaigns in program history a year ago.
The Prairie Wolves finished 7-10 overall and 4-4 in American Rivers Conference play last season, advancing to the A-R-C Tournament semifinals for the first time since joining the league. That postseason breakthrough now serves as both a benchmark and a launching point as Nebraska Wesleyan looks to take the next step.
KEY RETURNERS
A core group of experienced returners anchors the roster, bringing lineup stability, postseason-tested composure and strong academic credentials. With multiple veterans earning conference recognition last season, the Prairie Wolves enter the spring ranked sixth in the A-R-C Preseason Coaches' Poll and positioned to contend in a deep league.
"We are coming off a semifinal year in the A-R-C, the best in school history, and looking to build on that," head coach Lee Steinbrook said. "We have a team with no seniors, so we're viewing this as a two-year process to really build on last year. We have four returning starters along with five new players who could all be immediate impact. Meshing that group gives us great options."
Junior Sam Rademacher returns after a steady sophomore season that provided valuable depth across the singles lineup and consistency in doubles play. The Kearney, Neb., native competed in 16 matches and earned A-R-C All-Academic honors. Rademacher posted a 3-12 singles record primarily at the No. 3 position, highlighted by a conference win over Simpson, and finished 7-9 in doubles, teaming with Jacob Balfany for much of the season at the No. 1 spot.
Sophomore Gavin Nichols emerges as one of Nebraska Wesleyan's top returning performers following an impressive freshman campaign. The Platte City, Mo., product earned A-R-C All-Conference honorable mention after compiling a 12-8 singles record at the No. 2 position, including a 5-3 mark in conference play. Nichols put together a four-match winning streak and delivered key wins throughout the season while also posting an 8-11 doubles record, primarily alongside Tyler Blair.
Blair, a junior from Lincoln, Neb., brings experience and versatility after a strong sophomore season. A College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree and A-R-C All-Academic selection, Blair competed in 22 matches and finished with a 10-11 singles record, including a 4-4 conference mark at No. 4. He added a 6-11 doubles record and formed a reliable pairing with Nichols at the No. 2 spot.
Steinbrook believes the blend of returning experience and new talent will allow Nebraska Wesleyan to be competitive early while continuing to grow as the season progresses.
"We have a nice early slate of what we view as exhibition matches outside Division III to work on our lineup and put this team together for the spring," Steinbrook said. "We expect to be very competitive."
2026 SCHEDULE
The Prairie Wolves open the spring with a challenging road stretch, beginning at Concordia (Neb.) on Feb. 16, followed by a trip to Hastings on Feb. 24. Nonconference play continues against Nebraska-Kearney on March 8 before a late-March run featuring Grand View on March 26, Bethany Lutheran on March 27 and Martin Luther on March 28.
April ushers in conference play as Nebraska Wesleyan hosts Buena Vista and Doane before traveling to Central on April 7. The regular season concludes with matches against Loras (April 10), Dubuque (April 11), Simpson (April 15), Luther (April 18), Wartburg (April 20) and Coe (April 24), leading into the American Rivers Conference Tournament from April 28 to May 2.
With last season's semifinal run as proof of progress and a young roster poised to grow together, the Prairie Wolves enter 2026 focused on sustaining momentum and positioning themselves for another postseason push.
2026 A-R-C MEN'S TENNIS PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Luther - 63 (7)
2. Coe - 58 (2)
3. Wartburg - 45
4. Loras - 44
5. Central - 38
6. Nebraska Wesleyan - 30
7. Univ. of Dubuque - 23
8. Buena Vista - 15
9. Simpson - 8
