Elle Haddon
Knox College
Junior Elle Haddon
3
Winner Buena Vista BVU 1-0,0-0 American Rivers
0
Knox KC 0-1,0-0 Midwest
Winner
Buena Vista BVU
1-0,0-0 American Rivers
3
Final
0
Knox KC
0-1,0-0 Midwest
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Buena Vista BVU 25 25 25 (3)
Knox KC 20 19 20 (0)
0
Knox KC 0-2,0-0 Midwest
3
Winner Grinnell GC 2-0,0-0 Midwest
Knox KC
0-2,0-0 Midwest
0
Final
3
Grinnell GC
2-0,0-0 Midwest
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Knox KC 12 10 10 (0)
Grinnell GC 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Opens Season Against Buena Vista and Grinnell

Junior transfer Elle Haddon had a solid debut with 15 combined kills in the two matches

GRINNELL, Iowa — The Knox College volleyball got the 2025 season underway on Friday afternoon and evening by competing at the Grinnell-Central Invite against Buena Vista University and one of the hosts, Grinnell. Unfortunately for the Prairie Fire, they were unable to subdue either opponent, dropping both matches by 3-0 counts to begin the season 0-2.

In the first contest of the season, Knox fell into holes in each of the first two sets versus Buena Vista. Trailing by eight points, the Prairie Fire strung together a four-point run in the first set before succumbing, 25-20. The Beavers opened up an early 11-2 lead in the second set only to have Knox take seven of the next eight points and eventually knot the score at 14 apiece. But nine of the next 10 points went Buena Vista's way, leading to a 25-19 win, and despite the Prairie Fire keeping these close throughout the third set, the Beavers closed out the sweep, 25-20.

Grinnell played the role of rude host by taking all three sets as well, 25-12, 25-10, 25-10. Five consecutive Pioneer points early in the first set set the tone, as did an eight-point run to start the second. Knox came out swinging in the third, however, recording kills on each of its first five points to remain even with Grinnell. But the Pioneers took control by taking nine of 10 points for a 14-6 advantage and ended things with seven straight.

  • Junior transfer Elle Haddon, playing in her first matches for the Prairie Fire, led the team in kills in both matches with nine versus Buena Vista (with a .217 attack percentage) and six more against Grinnell.
  • Sophomore Zoe Thunhurst led the defensive effort with 13 digs in the opener and six more against the hosts, leading Knox in each match.
  • Sophomore Madelyn Dittrich and first-year Kayleigh Jones split time at setter, each handing out a dozen helpers over the two matches.
  • Buena Vista lost its second match of the day to Midwest Conference defending champion, Cornell College, in straight sets, while Grinnell ended the day 2-0 with a sweep of Bethany Lutheran.

Knox will finish the tournament with two more matches on Saturday, beginning with a 11 a.m. start against Carroll University, immediately followed by its final contest against the University of Dubuque at 1 p.m.

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