GALESBURG, Ill. ­— A day after recording its first victory of the 2024 season, the Knox volleyball team could not produce the same magic as visiting Grinnell defeated the Prairie Fire in straight sets, 25-16, 25-17, 25-20. The Pioneers remained undefeated in Midwest Conference play at 4-0 while improving to 16-5 overall, and Knox dropped to 1-18 on the season and 1-3 in the league.

Grinnell set the tone quickly by winning the first six points of the match, though the Prairie Fire battled back to within one. But the Pioneers gradually extended their advantage and took six of the last seven to win the first set. Senior Caroline Wolters helped Knox take a 12-11 lead with her fourth kill of the second set alone. Yet the Prairie Fire could not maintain their offense as the Pioneers won the next three points and never relinquished the lead.

Knox never had the lead in the third set, but did not allow Grinnell to be comfortable, staying within four points nearly throughout. The Pioneers finally finished off their sixth straight win by winning the final three volleys.

• Wolters led the Prairie Fire with 11 kills, her third match in double digits this year, all in the last four outings.
• Knox hit at a .104 clip while Grinnell had an attack percentage of .286 as a team.
• The Pioneers have won the last eight meetings on the court with the Prairie Fire.

Knox continues its six-game home stand on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. for its Dig Pink Game to raise awareness of breast cancer. The Prairie Fire will entertain Eureka (3-12) in the match with Live video and stats available through the official website of Knox College Athletics, PrairieFire.Knox.edu.