Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BELOIT, Wis. – Just hours after a hard-fought four-set loss to Beloit, the Knox volleyball team responded with one final statement to close the 2026 season, rallying past Alverno in a dramatic five-set victory at Flood Arena. The Prairie Fire earned the 24-26, 25-17, 25-27, 25-17, 18-16 win to finish the season with four victories, their highest total since 2022.

The victory served as a fitting conclusion for Knox's seniors, who helped guide the Prairie Fire through a season of growth and ended their careers with one of the team's most exciting performances of the year. After battling Beloit in a 3-1 loss earlier in the day, Knox showed resilience in extending its season finale to a decisive fifth set.

Neither team could create separation in the final set. The Prairie Fire led 13-10 before Alverno answered with a three-point run to tie the score. Knox regained the advantage at 14-13 and eventually found itself knotted at 16-16 before back-to-back kills from Thunhurst sealed the 18-16 victory and sent the Prairie Fire into the offseason on a winning note.

Knox displayed balance throughout the match, finishing with 60 kills, a .176 hitting percentage, 58 assists, 94 digs, and 22 block assists. The Prairie Fire saved some of their best volleyball for the deciding set, recording 13 kills while hitting .375 over the final 32 attacks.

Elle Haddon led the attack with 15 kills and a .222 hitting percentage, while Maria Jabor Jahn added 13 kills and 13.5 points. Thunhurst orchestrated the offense with 31 assists while contributing nine kills, 13 digs, and three block assists.

De'Mya Robinson and Miley Frakes each added nine kills, with Robinson collecting six block assists and Frakes recording four block assists. Lydia Karli anchored the net with seven block assists.

Defensively, Hernandez-Rivera closed her season with 24 digs, while Anaya President, Bri Holland, and Thunhurst each contributed 13 digs. Holland also finished with 17 assists and three service aces in the victory.

The season finale reflected the progress made throughout the year. After coming up just short against Beloit in the opener, the Prairie Fire answered with determination, perseverance, and composure when the match hung in the balance. The win pushed Knox to four victories on the season, the program's highest win total since 2022, and provides a strong foundation to build upon heading into 2027.