Box score #1
Box score #2

GALESBURG, Illinois – The Prairie Fire split matches against North Central College and Simpson College to open the season on Saturday at Lakeside Recreation Facility.

Knox rebounded from a 6-3 loss to North Central in the first match by defeating Simpson 5-4 in the finale.  The Prairie Fire clinched the win over the Storm when sophomore Rohail Khan (Islamabad, Pakistan, Roots School System) downed his #4 singles opponent (6-3, 6-2).

Knox (1-1) posted two other singles wins against Simpson – senior Walter Palmer (Wilmette, IL, New Trier) at #1 (6-1, 6-3) and senior Karl Ruzgas (Downers Grove, IL, Downers Grove North) at #2 (6-2, 7-6 (7-0)).  They also won their #1 doubles match (8-2) while Khan and first-year Ashwin Kushwaha (Rochester, MN, Mayo) prevailed in #2 doubles (8-6).

Palmer and Ruzgas accounted for the three wins by the Prairie Fire against North Central.  Palmer won convincingly against his #1 singles opponent (6-1, 6-0) and Ruzgas finished strong in taking the #2 match (7-5, 6-2).  They got the new season off to a good start by tripping up North Central's #1 doubles team (8-4).

"Walter and Karl showed that they will be a steady force for us this season with both going 4-0 on the day.  They are moving well and playing smart, strong tennis," Knox head coach Miriam Skrade said.

Ruzgas liked how the squad regrouped after falling to North Central.

"We have begun our season at 1-1, but the team as a whole played like it was having fun while keeping a competitive edge at the same time.  In the second match it was a great feeling to see everyone wanting to play regardless of the previous match outcome."

Kushwaha, one of four new players in the program, said he was excited to step on the court for his first college tennis experience.

"Although I only won one of the four matches I played, I am still happy with the day and optimistic and confident for future matches.  I am thrilled to have begun my four-year journey with the Knox tennis team and proud to be a part of it."

The Prairie Fire resume play against Morningside College and Central College next Saturday in Pella, Iowa.