Box Score #1
Box Score #2

Pella, IA – The Prairie Fire gave maximum effort, but a point here and there didn't go their way in a tough 6-3 loss to Morningside College and a 7-2 setback against host Central College.

Knox started strong against Morningside (1-2) by taking two of the three doubles matches.

Juniors Walter Palmer (Wilmette, IL, New Trier) and Karl Ruzgas (Downers Grove, IL, Downers Grove North) prevailed 8-6 in #1 doubles.  Junior Jonathan Ng (Hong Kong, China, Hong Kong International School) and senior Max Gatyas (Plymouth, WI, Plymouth Comprehensive) added a convincing 8-3 victory in their #2 doubles match.  The Prairie Fire's #3 doubles team of sophomore Pragyaditya Mukerjee (Kolkata, India, The Cambridge School) and first-year Rohail Khan (Islamabad, Pakistan, Roots School System), who made his varsity debut, lost 8-1 in #3 doubles.

A little luck just wasn't there for Knox in four singles losses that went to tiebreakers.

Morningside's #1 singles player Austin Grundy edged Palmer 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-6).  Ruzgas had a similar outcome in #2 singles against Danny Graves, who pulled out a 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-5) victory.  Ng remains unbeaten in #3 singles after a convincing 6-3, 6-0 win.  The #4 singles match between Gatyas and Alex Struck also went the distance, and in favor of Morningside 6-3, 5-7, 1-0 (10-4).  Mukerjee started well against #5 singles opponent Jordan Ogren with a 6-4 set win.  However, Ogren came back 6-1 in the second set and claimed the tiebreaker 1-0 (10-7).  Khan fell 6-0, 6-0 in his first varsity singles match of the season.

"Overall the guys put up a great battle today," coach Miriam Skrade said.

"We had some shining moments and some that we wish we could have to do over. The two doubles wins against Morningside gave us a great start. We maintained the momentum capturing three of the first sets in singles," Skrade added. "Jonathan was able to finish his match out with a decisive (6-3, 6-0) win. He capitalized on his opponents' weaknesses and stayed confident during his match. Walter, Karl, Max, and Proga put all they could into their matches, but the outcome came down to points. Not sets, not games, but a matter of a few points."

Knox faced a Central College team that entered the match unbeaten against four prior opponents.

Palmer bounced back to win his #1 singles match 6-2, 6-2 and Ng came out on top in #3 singles 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
The Dutch (5-0) swept the three doubles matches.  Ng and Gatyas gave the #2 doubles team from Central all it could handle in a 9-8 (7-0) loss for Knox.

Ng said the Prairie Fire played two tough teams, and in many cases, took them to the limit.

"We got a lot of the matches to tiebreakers, yet in the end we weren't able to squeak it out.  Personally, I felt I got into a grove and was able to take big leads early which helped me build some momentum. The second doubles match involving Max and me was close, but unfortunately those last points didn't go our way."

Khan reflected on his first competition at the varsity level.

"It's a great honor for me to be part of Knox tennis in my first year. From the training sessions to the match day excitement, it's a complete package. The unbelievable team spirit tops it all up. I'm looking forward to performing to the best of my abilities for the remainder of the season," he said.
 
"It was fun to have Rohail make his debut on the varsity scene," said Skrade about Khan.  "He's been training hard and taking in a lot of instruction. He's fortunate to have some experienced leaders to learn beside."
 
Knox (1-2) was without sophomore starter Dustin Loch (Glen Ellyn, IL, Glenbard West), who was ill and unable to play.
 
Skrade said the team will learn and benefit from the early season experience.
 
"We'd love to have the Central match to play over being 100% healthy, but the fact is the Dutch have a strong and deep team. Walter had a notable singles win at the number one spot. Jonathan also picked up a third great win on the day against another left-handed player with a big game. "
 
Knox has a non-conference match on Sunday against perennial power Coe College.  The Kohawks are 4-0 and have won 20 straight home matches going into the contest against the Prairie Fire at the Clark Racquet Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.