Galesburg, IL – A men’s tennis player has earned a second award for his dominance on the court.

Sophomore Walter Palmer (Wilmette, IL, New Trier) won both of his singles matches and contributed to two doubles victories, helping the Prairie Fire defeat Simpson College and North Central College last Saturday at Lakeside Tennis Center.

Palmer’s perfect day was noticed as he’s been named the Midwest Conference Men’s Tennis Performer of the Week.  He’s also the most recent Prairie Fire Performer of the Week Award winner.

Palmer won his #3 singles match against Simpson 6-1, 6-3.  He teamed up with fellow sophomore  Karl Ruzgas (Downers Grove, IL, Downers Grove North) to down the Storm’s #1 doubles team 8-1 as Knox topped Simpson 6-3.

Palmer continued his undefeated run by beating his #3 singles opponent from North Central 6-3, 6-2.  He and Ruzgas rolled to an 8-2 win in #1 doubles against the Cardinals.

The Prairie Fire won the match against North Central 5-4 for their second straight victory and improved their record to 4-3.

Palmer owns a 5-1 record playing #3 singles while he and Ruzgas have a 6-1 mark as #1 doubles partners. 

Palmer is the first Knox men’s tennis player to be named the conference’s performer of the week since 2008, when Jared Katchen (March 11, 2008) and Nick Craig (March 25, 2008) were selected for the honor.

Knox begins Midwest Conference South Division play on Saturday at Grinnell College against the Pioneers (7-3, 0-0 MWC South) and Lake Forest College (0-3, 0-0 MWC South).  Grinnell has won the last nine conference championships in men’s tennis.

The Prairie Fire and the Pioneers meet at 12:00 p.m.  Knox follows with a match at 3:00 p.m. against Lake Forest.

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