Box Score

A day after playing a team that won its 10th straight match, the Prairie Fire squared off against red hot Lawrence University, which defeated Knox 3-0 Saturday in Appleton, Wisconsin.

The Vikings (10-9, 3-0 MWC) won for the sixth time in the last seven matches to stay unbeaten thus far in the Midwest Conference standings along with St. Norbert College and Monmouth College. 

Lawrence led wire to wire to win the first set 25-18.  The Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second set before the Fire scored three straight points to get within one at 4-3. 

Knox stayed within striking distance and trailed 18-15 on a kill by senior hitter Kelly Ricketts (Galesburg, Illinois, Galesburg) when the hosts scored three straight points, and seven of the next nine, to win the set 25-17.

The Vikings exploded for 12 straight points in the third set after holding a 4-3 edge to take a 16-3 advantage.  The deficit was too much as Lawrence went on to win the set 25-12 to complete the sweep.

Ricketts led the Fire with nine kills to go along with five digs and two aces.  First-year hitter Katie White (Peoria, IL, Notre Dame) added a season-high five kills while junior Brittany Wisniewski (Park Ridge, Illinois, Maine South) recorded a match-high 17 digs and senior Lisa Blagg (Winthrop Harbor, IL, Zion Benton)had seven assists.

St. Norbert (14-4, 4-0 MWC) downed Knox (0-18, 0-4 MWC) 3-0 on September 30 in DePere, Wisconsin.  The Green Knights won their 11th consecutive match, 3-0, Saturday at home against Grinnell College to remain undefeated in the conference. 

Monmouth (7-8, 4-0 MWC), after starting the season 2-6, has gone 5-2 since -- including four straight wins.

The Prairie Fire returns home to play Carroll University (8-11, 1-2 MWC) Saturday at 1:00 p.m.  The Pioneers have dropped three of their last four matches.

Follow Prairie Fire athletics on Twitter @KnoxPrairieFire