GALESBURG, Illinois—The Prairie Fire came up big in a victory over Lake Forest on Friday.

Knox (6-10, 1-0 MWC) started off conference play with a win and won their third straight match.
 
Going into the match, the Foresters had won the last 22 meetings between the two teams.
 
After falling 16-25 in the first set and down 10-1 in the second set, Knox came back and tied the set at 16-16. The Prairie Fire went on to clinch the set 25-23. The rest of the match was hotly contested, with several lead changes in each set. Knox won the third set 25-17, but had to work hard to stop a rally after starting the set up 15-2. The fourth set was back and forth with the Prairie Fire looking at game point at 24-23 before falling 24-26. Knox pulled away in the fifth set thanks to an early lead.
 
Rose Griffin (Maryland Heights, MO, Rosati-Kain) led the Prairie Fire with 23 kills and Casey Stachelski (Joliet, IL, Plainfield Central) racked up 42 assists. Kyleigh Guthals (Clovis, NM, Clovis)finished with 24 digs and Jakeiyah Triplett (Chicago, IL, Westinghouse) added 23. Rachael Powell (Indianapolis, IN, Lawrence Central) also served four aces.
 
Knox returns home on Saturday looking to continue their hot start in conference play. The Prairie Fire will face Beloit College at 1:00 p.m.