For Immediate Release

eureka, illinois

October 20, 2008

Hard knox: Eureka squanders match point in 5th set

Boxscore

Eureka College got within one point of a win Monday night only to see visiting Knox College claim victory from the jaws of defeat in a 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 25-27, 25-13, 17-15) marathon.

Eureka (4-27) was the beneficiary of some clutch plays as the Red Devils squeaked out two sets by close scores to take a 2-1 lead in the match, but it was the Prairie Fire (4-12) that scored four of final five points on the night to end an eight-match losing streak to Eureka.

The Red Devils took it to Knox defensively in the opening frame. Laura Willman (Metamora, Ill./HS) dug up 10 hits in the first set alone as she and the rest of her teammates held the opposition to 10 kills on 43 attempts. Brittany Feger (Heyworth, Ill./HS) provided the offensive firepower, terminating six points with kills. There were 11 ties in the set, with the final one coming at 17-17. Eureka came back from a 17-14 deficit by scoring six consecutive points. Kylie Bahorik (Washington, Ill./Peoria Christian) had the set assist on 12 of the Red Devils' 18 kills.

Knox took control of the second set with a 9-2 run after the score was tied at 12-12. Knox led in digs 22-16 in the frame as EC was held to six kills.

The Prairie Fire came within a point of taking a 2-1 match lead in the third set, but Eureka rallied back from down 24-23 to win 27-25. The Red Devils mounted a 9-3 run to take a cushy 23-17 advantage, but every last point of that six-point lead melted away during a 7-0 Knox rally. The visitors had a swing at winning the set, but Heather Myers (Eureka, Ill./HS) dug it up and Feger took a pass from Bahorik to tie the score at 24. Eureka regained the lead by winning next point as well. The teams traded service errors before a Knox attack error handed the Red Devils a 2-1 edge in the match.

An early 8-0 Knox run put the Prairie Fire in a commanding position in set four. Eureka clawed back to within three at 13-10, but could get no closer. The Red Devils bounced back for a 4-2 lead in the decisive fifth stanza, but it was short-lived. Knox came back to take as large as a three-point lead at 10-7. The Red Devils then climbed back to a 12-12 tie. The score was tied three more times and eight times in all in the set. Knox gained the advantage at 16-15 when Katharina Schulte sent down her 32nd kill of the night. Christina Davis ended the proceedings one point later with Knox in front 17-15.

Myers finished with 18 kills and 12 digs for her fourth consecutive double-double. He was charged with only four errors in 38 attempts for a .368 percentage, which led all players in the game. Feger had 15 kills, six digs and a .213 percentage. Paige Fannon (East Peoria, Ill./HS) got a hand on four assisted blocks to go with her seven kills. Bahorik registered 35 assists and 10 digs. Willman amassed 27 digs, ranking as the second most she has had in a match.

The Red Devils have three matches left in the season, and over a week before they return to the court. They will next play at SLIAC rival Blackburn College Tuesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm.

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For More Information Contact:

Bryan Moore
Sports Information Director
Eureka College
300 E. College Avenue
Eureka, Illinois 61530
309-467-6456
bmoore@eureka.edu