DES MOINES, Iowa - The Wartburg women's tennis team (1-0 overall, 0-0 American Rivers) was victorious in the 2026-2027 season opener, defeating Grand View University 4-3 in Des Moines on Tuesday, Sep. 1.
Doubles
Wartburg swept doubles competition starting with Morgan Kathman and Brooke Bloom winning 6-3 in #1 doubles over Grand View's Valentine Reolon and Leticia Grimaldi. Kendall Olson and Kaitlyn Olson were victorious in #2 doubles with a score of 78 - 66 over Camila Castro and Elisabeth Stein. Abi Peyman and Lily Schreckengast competed in #3 doubles and finished the sweep with a 6-2 victory over Sara Mendoza and Samara Peterson.
Singles
#1 single Morgan Kathman picked up her 35th career singles win topping Grand View's Valentine Reolon. Kendall Olson was victorious over Leticia Monteiro in #4 singles, coming back from down 4-9 in tiebreakers to win 13-11. #6 Olivia Litke won her collegiate debut with the Knights, coming back from 0-8 in tiebreakers to defeat Sara Valero 10-8.
Highlights
Winning all three doubles matches and using a couple of roaring comebacks in singles matches the Knights moved to 1-0 on the early season. Head Coach Chris Gustas was proud of his group on a warm September day in Des Moines. "Watching our two comebacks at #4 singles and #6 singles is something you don't see in 20 years, and we saw it happen within 20 minutes of each other.", said Gustas. He noted the endurance and resilience of his team in the heat was something he was very pleased with.
Key Notes
- Knights are 8-1 all time vs Grand View
- The Knights have won eight matches in a row against the Vikings
- 2-0 all time on the road against the Vikings
- Morgan Kathman wins her 35th career singles match
- Brooke Litke makes her collegiate debut
- Olivia Litke makes her collegiate debut
Next Up
The Knights will take on Wisconsin-River Falls at 10 AM and Wisconsin-Superior at 1 PM on Saturday, Sep. 5th in River Falls, WI.
