Beloit box score
Ripon box score

Galesburg, IL – The Prairie Fire split its first two home matches of the season on Saturday.

Knox lost to Beloit College 6-3 and defeated Ripon College 8-1 in contests against Midwest Conference North Division teams.

The Prairie Fire (1-3) rolled past the Red Hawks, winning all six singles matches and two of the three doubles contests. 

"It was great to see the women play their game rather than letting up to less experienced opponents," Knox coach Miriam Skrade said.  "I saw each of them applying the skills we've been practicing."

The Prairie Fire received a fine effort by sophomore Keegan Dohm (Bellingham, WA, Squalicum) against Beloit.

Dohm won her #6 singles match 7-5, 6-3 and teamed up with senior Emiley Brand (Princeton, IL, Princeton) to defeat the Buccaneers in #3 doubles 8-3.

Dohm said advice from a teammate helped.

"I tend to get ahead of myself in matches, so during doubles Emiley (Brand) told me 'one point at a time.'  I kept saying that to myself in my singles match to keep my head in the game."

Senior Charlotte Garvin (Omaha, NE, Central) provided the other victory for Knox in #1 singles 6-2, 6-3.

Skrade said Garvin was effective at keeping her opponent out off her game style, and on defense.  "She had to be extremely patient and ready for the ball to come back.  It was a great win for her."

Skrade credited Beloit with being stronger in doubles than expected.  "We hustled and put a lot of balls in play, but Beloit was quick to put the ball away," she said.

"Our singles players pushed their opponents," Skrade added.  "Nobody let their opponent off easy.  Keegan Dohm especially was able to anticipate where her opponent was going to hit and find the open court with her own shots."

The Prairie Fire remains at home against the next three opponents. 

Monmouth College visits the Merdian Tennis Courts on September 10 for a Midwest Conference South Division match that starts at 4:00 p.m.

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