Results

Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire took a shot at NCAA Division I Western Illinois University and came out on the wrong end of a 9-0 score on Friday.

WIU (6-6) won for the third consecutive time.  The Leathernecks’ previous two victories were also 9-0 triumphs against NAIA member Lindenwood University – Belleville and Division III Illinois College on February 2 at IC.  Knox dropped its third in a row after winning two straight to open the season.

The closest singles match was in the #1 flight.  Prairie Fire sophomore  Karolis Ruzgas (Downers Grove, IL, Downers Grove North) lost the first set against Ben Yue 6-1.  Ruzgas refused to go down without a fight and Yue eventually came away with a 7-5 victory in the second set to win the match.

Knox scored a combined 10 points in the five remaining singles matches against Western.

Ruzgas was also involved in a close doubles match.  However, he and #1 doubles partner, sophomore Walter Palmer (Wilmette, IL, New Trier), couldn’t get over the hump against WIU’s top doubles team of Bradley Holt and Mitch Granger.  The Leathernecks posted an 8-6 victory while also winning 8-4 in #2 doubles and 8-1 in #3 doubles.

The Prairie Fire tries to get back on track Saturday with a pair of matches.  Knox meets Simpson College at 9:00 a.m. and North Central College at 3:00 p.m. at Lakeside Tennis Center.

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