Eureka Falls to Knox in Four Sets

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Eureka volleyball team took on non-conference opponent Knox Tuesday night and, after taking a 1-0 lead, fell in four sets, 27-29, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22.

With the loss, the Red Devils move to 3-3 on the year. 

Leading the Red Devils, Sara Worrell (Jacksonville, Ill./Routt Catholic) had a team-leading 23 assists and seven digs. 

Paige Klingler (Newton, Ill./Newton) had 14 digs, while Caitlin Miller (Washington, Ill./Washington) contributed 11 digs and eight kills. Corinne DeBoard (Centralia, Ill/Glenbard East) and Annaliese Miller (Chenoa, Ill/Prairie Central) each added five kills of their own.

Eureka jumped out to a 4-0 lead in a back-and-forth opening set that was later tied at 24-all. The Red Devils eventually took a 1-0 a 29-27 win. 

In set two, Eureka could not find a rhythm, only managing to put up 17 points in 25-17 a 25-17 loss that evened the series.

After a seesaw third set, Eureka led by as many as six points at 19-13 after an error by Knox. The set was tied at 20-20 when the Prairie Fire took control, scoring the five of the next seven points to win the set 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead in the match. 

In the fourth and final set, the Red Devils once again had the momentum early, taking a 16-10 lead. But EC lost it late in the match when Knox tied it at 21. The Prairie Fire eventually won the final set, 25-22 to clinch the match. 

Eureka will return home to Christine Bonati Bollwinkle Arena and Convocation Cetner on Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they take on Benedictine.