KOHLER, Wisconsin – The Prairie Fire men's tennis team defeated Lakeland University 6-3 on Saturday to pick up their first win of the season and first victory since an April 2, 2017 win over Ripon.
 
Ajay Gustafson won his #1 singles match 6-0, 6-1 and teamed up with Jared Schwarz to win #1 doubles 8-2. Schwarz also won his # 3 singles match 6-0, 6-1. Gustafston said, "Our opponents put up a good fight. It was a game of mental toughness and Jared and I prevailed."
 
Brad Newland defeated his #2 singles opponent 6-4, 6-1 and teamed up with Dobbin Pine to win #2 doubles 8-7 (7-4). They were down 3-6 and won three games in a row to tie it up. After a 7-all tie, Newland and Pine won the tie break 7-4.
 
Oscar Sanchez picked up his first career win at #6 singles with a score of 6-3, 6-4. "The more difficult it is to win, the more value it has," said Sanchez.
 
"After a 36 ball rally, one of many long rallies, Oscar proved his mettle and ran down every ball," said head coach Meredith Witherell. "Hitting two behind-the-back overheads in the second set, Oscar owned his game."
 
Sanchez and Misha Broyles had a tight match at #3 doubles, losing to the Muskies 6-8. "They played well and presented the Muskies with a challenge," said Witherell.
 
Kyle Yang played a close 1-6, 6-3 (6-10) match at #5 singles and Pine lost just 6-4, 1-6, 4-6 at # 4 singles to make the match close throughout.
 
Knox will look to expand on their early season success as they host Illinois Wesleyan and Greenville on February 23.