GALESBURG, Ill. — The Knox College volleyball team opened up play in the Midwest Conference with a home tilt with Illinois College at Memorial Gymnasium on Friday night, but the Ladyblues played the role of rude guest by sweeping the match, 25-20, 25-2, 25-18. Laura Kaiser led the attack for Illinois College (5-12, 1-0 MWC) with 14 kills without an error, while sophomore Maria Jabor Jahn paced the Prairie Fire (2-18, 0-1 MWC) with six kills.

The match began well for Knox, jumping out to a 9-6 advantage as junior Elle Haddon put away two of her four kills in that stretch. The Ladyblues countered by taking eight of the next 10 points, and though the Prairie Fire closed the gap to one, they couldn't quite get over the hump and came up short in the opening set.

Nothing went right in the second set as Illinois College quickly took a 2-0 lead. Knox regrouped for the third set, withstanding an early four-point Ladyblue run, but the Fire were kept at arm's length and were unable to salvage a set.

• Illinois College amassed 48 kills on the night, compared to 15 for Knox.
• Haddon, senior libero Sam Black and setter Zoe Thunhurst each had eight digs in an effort to slow the Ladyblues' offense, while Thunhurst added 10 assists.
• Each of the last 11 meetings between the two schools has gone Illinois College's way, though Knox did take the Ladyblues to five sets four years ago.

Knox continues its eight-match home stand next Tuesday evening (Oct. 7) at 7 p.m. with an opportunity to sweep the season series from Rockford University (2-7). The Prairie Fire earned a five-set victory over the Regents back on Sept. 23 in Rockford. The match will be streamed live with live stats available through PrairieFire.Knox.edu, the official website of Knox College Athletics.

 

The volleyball team took a moment before the match to thank the faculty and staff on hand for their support of the team and contributions to the college.