APPLETON, Wisconsin – The Prairie Fire couldn't halt big runs by Lawrence University and lost 3-0 in Midwest Conference play on Friday at Alexander Gym.

The Vikings were still riding high from an improbable 3-2 comeback win against Carroll University at home on Thursday night.  The Pioneers won the first two sets and appeared to be on their way to a sweep, leading 24-20 in the third set.  Lawrence wouldn't give in and rallied for a 29-27 victory in the third set, and then followed with wins in the fourth and fifth sets to stun Carroll in the MWC opener for both squads.

The Vikings (6-12, 2-0 MWC) raced out to an 8-2 lead in the first set against Knox.  The Prairie Fire closed the gap to 12-9, but the Vikings answered with seven straight points that fueled a 25-14 win and a 1-0 advantage in the match.

The Vikings were in control of the second set throughout by scoring six of the first seven points and building a 12 point cushion, 15-3, that Knox couldn't overcome.  Lawrence grabbed a 2-0 lead in the match with the 25-9 set three victory.

The hosts started fast again in the third set, forcing Knox (2-19, 0-2 MWC) to play catch-up.  Lawrence led 5-0 before the Prairie Fire got on the board, and then scored four unanswered points to go up 9-1 and force a timeout by Knox.  The Prairie Fire used kills by first-year Rose Griffin (Maryland Heights, MO, Rosati-Kain) and junior Casey Stachelski (Joliet, IL, Plainfield Central), an ace by Griffin, and a ball handling error by the Vikings to cut the deficit to 10-6.  Lawrence countered with an 8-0 run that sealed a 25-19 win in the set and a 3-0 match victory.

Griffin tallied seven kills and eight digs for Knox.  Stachelski added 16 assists and five digs, senior Katie White (Peoria, IL, Notre Dame) put down five kills and first-year Kyleigh Guthals (Clovis, NM, Clovis) had four kills and eight digs.  Sophomore Holly Bieber (Chicago, IL, Walter Payton College Prep) shared team-high honors in digs with eight followed by sophomore Madison Pierro (La Jolla, CA, Tri City Christian School) with seven.

The Prairie Fire play their third Midwest Conference match this week at St. Norbert College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.  The Green Knights (7-12, 1-0 MWC) swept Monmouth College 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-15) on Friday in the first league contest of the season for both teams.