ELSAH, Illinois—The Prairie Fire volleyball team split a doubleheader at Principia on Saturday afternoon.
 
Knox defeated Hannibal-Lagrange 3-1 in the first match, before falling to the hosts in the late match. The Prairie Fire played close matches with the Trojans, but came out with a 26-24, 25-21, 18-25, 26-24 victory.
 
Knox also had some very close sets with the Panthers, but fell 23-25, 15-25, 25-17, 23-25 in the four-set match.
 
"I am proud of the whole team today," said Autumn Schneider. "We have had a rough past couple of weeks, but everyone has kept working to improve themselves. The team seemed to really click today and were able to truly play together. Each day I am more and more thankful to get to play beside these girls and I cannot wait to see what we do the rest of the season and the seasons to come!"
 
Schneider led the Prairie Fire with 27 kills on the day, while Kaitlyn Haase and Marissa Akers each added 18 of their own. Kylie Wolf racked up 75 assists over the two games and Mady Ferris managed an astonishing 77 digs over eight sets (9.63 per set).
 
"I admired my teammates for stepping up today," Ferris concluded. "They filled in and exceeded every expectation. Along with them stepping up, we broke through the mental barrier of the losing streak. I think today showed us our true potential and that when we play our best volleyball the sky is the limit!"
 
Knox will look to use that potential and momentum as they return home for their final home stand with games on October 17, 19, and 20.