Box Score

Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire opened Midwest Conference play with a 9-0 victory over Monmouth College at home on Tuesday afternoon.

Seniors Dana Pierce (Barrington, IL, Barrington) and Emiley Brand (Princeton, IL, Princeton) posted wins in #1 and #2 singles, respectively.  Junior Claire Neri (Melrose Park, IL, West Leyden), sophomores Margaret St. Clair (Mount Vernon, IA, Mount Vernon) and Keegan Dohm (Bellingham, WA, Squalicum), and first-year Celina Dietzel (Milwaukee, WI, Cudahy) were also victorious for Knox (2-3, 1-0 MWC South) in their singles matches against the Fighting Scots.

The win by Dietzel, 6-0 and 6-0 against her #6 singles opponent, was the first of her college career.

"I'm proud of all the girls today because we worked hard for the win," Brand said.

Two newcomers to the women's tennis program in 2013 also played well in their first varsity action for the Prairie Fire.

Sophomore Justyna Dorniak (Chicago, IL, Lane Tech) and first-year Tenzin Lhamo (Boulder, CO, Fountain Valley School) teamed up for an 8-2 victory in #3 doubles.

"Today's match was great to ease my partner and me into varsity tennis.  I hope for future opportunities to play at this next level," Dorniak said.

Senior Charlotte Garvin (Omaha, NE, Central) and Pierce won their #1 doubles match 8-2 while Brand and Neri prevailed 8-3 in #2 doubles against Monmouth (0-3, 0-1 MWC South).

Coach Miriam Skrade likes the direction in which her team, which has won two straight, is moving.

"We continue to be more and more positive when we play.  The women are doing a great job of problem-solving when they are in trouble and playing to their potential," she said.

Knox steps out of Midwest Conference South Division play to face Carroll University and Lawrence University at home on September 14.  The match against Carroll is scheduled to start at 9:00 am, followed by Lawrence at 12:00 p.m. at the Merdian Tennis Courts.

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