Box score #1Box score #2DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Prairie Fire came up short in the win column against Wartburg College and the University of Dubuque on Saturday, but the young team is making strides.
Knox began the day with a 7-2 loss to Wartburg and fell 6-3 in the finale against host Dubuque. Senior
Walter Palmer (Wilmette, IL, New Trier) had a hand in four of the Prairie Fire's five wins.
"With half the team being freshmen there will always be some growing pains as we progress through the season, but I think things are coming along well," Palmer said. "Everyone won some games this weekend, and there is clear improvement every week."
Palmer defeated Eric Hilpert of Wartburg 6-1, 6-3 in their #1 singles match. He and senior
Karl Ruzgas (Downers Grove, IL, Downers Grove North) teamed up in #1 doubles to post an 8-3 victory against Brandon Hornback and Luke Benna.
The two veterans accounted for all three Knox wins against Dubuque.
Palmer downed Richard Rhinehart 7-6, 6-4 in a hard fought singles match. "Walter stayed strong during a tough first set against Dubuque," Prairie Fire head coach Miriam Skrade said. "He was down 5-6 love-40 in the first set which meant Richard had triple set point. Walter played confident and showcased his ability to play under pressure by coming back to win that game and then take the set in the tiebreaker." Palmer improved to 4-2 in singles this season.
Ruzgas beat Matthew Sablay 6-1, 6-1 in #2 singles for his fourth win of the season. Ruzgas and Palmer defeated Rhinehart and Sablay 8-0 in #1 doubles for their sixth win without a loss.
The Prairie Fire play Greenville College and St. Ambrose University next Saturday at the Quad City Tennis Club in Moline.
