CHICAGO, Illinois - The Prairie Fire women's tennis team opened up their season with a pair of matches against Wisconsin Lutheran and North Park on Saturday.

Knox dropped the match to the Warriors 3-6 in the first match of the day.

Bhumika Gupta and Himani Patel started off the day with an 8-1 doubles victory. Gupta then won her singles match 6-1, 6-1. Patel also won her single match 6-3, 6-4.

The Prairie Fire dropped the nightcap to the Vikings 3-6.

Laural Stugart and Miranda Zuckerman won their doubles match by retirement. Bhumika Gupta won her second singles match of the day 6-2, 6-4. Zuckerman also won her singles match 7-6, 6-4.

I felt really good and enjoyed the match. I was happy with how I played," said Gupta. "My opponent played well, but I was able to stay focused and play my game."

Stugart was playing her first match for the tennis team after previously playing on the Knox volleyball team. "I enjoyed the sportsmanship and true challenge of pushing yourself when you're the only one on the court," shared Stugart. "It's different than volleyball where the whole team is on the court together."

The Prairie Fire return to action on September 8 as they host Lake Forest to kick off Midwest Conference play.