Both the Vikings and the Prairie Fire came in to play Friday night seeking their first Midwest Conference victories, and more importantly for Knox, trying to snap a five match losing streak and gain some confidence.

Lawrence won the first game 25-17, capitalizing on 10 kills and only four errors.  The Fire had eight kills but 10 errors.  The Vikings won the second game 25-20 as a revved up crowd cheered Knox on.  The Fire had good numbers - 11 kills and four errors -- but Lawrence was even more efficient with 15 kills and just one error in game two.

Lawrence (10-11, 1-1 MWC) ended the match with a 25-15 victory in the third and final game, partly by taking advantage of eight errors by Knox (5-12, 0-4).

The Vikings earned their first league win (3-0).  Jenna Picha had nine kills, Emma Kane seven and Shannon McLain seven.  Kane also had seven digs.  Kathleen Rowland led LU with 11 digs.  Diane McLeod was one of two Vikings with double-figure assists with 14.  Teammate Farrell Tremble added 13.

Junior Kelly Ricketts (Galesburg, Illinois) led Knox with 12 kills and tied for a team-high nine digs with junior Lisa Blagg (Winthrop Harbor, Illinois).  First-year hitter Kaylie Prince (Westminster, Colorado) chipped in with six kills and five digs, sophomore Kirstin McDonald added four kills and seven digs and first-year setter Nina Mack (Algonquin, Illinois) had a match-high 24 assists to go along with six digs.

The Prairie Fire has a tough match on Saturday at home against St. Norbert College.  The Green Knights come in with a 14-5 record and have split their two Midwest Conference matches after losing Friday night at Grinnell 3-2.  That snapped a three-match win streak for SNC.

Saturday's match begins at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Gymnasium.