Park volleyball battled through a difficult game against Eagan at the Minnesota State High School Tournament Nov. 7, eventually losing in three sets.

Senior captain Makaila Winward said the importance of the game didn’t change its playing style.

“We came into it as if it was just another game,” Winward said. “We talked about it a lot in practice and we were just preparing for what they were going to do. We treated it as if it was another game, not that it was Eagan or that they were the runner up in State last year.”

According to senior Addie Warg, it was difficult (for the team to) transition to the new environment.

“When I would toss the ball in the air, it would look like the ball (was) staying and floating, it was crazy. The environment was spectacular, all of the energy really helps you get used to the space a lot easier,” Warg said.

Coach Whitney Meierotto-Simon agreed, saying playing in a new space can be a bit of an adjustment.

“We come from a gym where if you hit it too high it will come right back down at your face. It’s fun to play at big venues for us. It’s a bit of an adjustment, but it can be easier for us at times,” Meierotto-Simon said.

According to Warg, she was nervous starting out, but her nerves settled down over time.

“I was pretty nervous being at school, thinking about playing at the Xcel, thinking that it’s gonna be huge, that there’s going to be a lot of people there. Then I got (there) and (realized) they’re all here for us, we’re supposed to be here.  That’s what helped me get through,” Warg said.

According to Winward, they practiced specifically for their match against Eagan.

“They have a 6 (feet) 5 (inches) middle (hitter) who hits deep corners which is hard for us to prepare defense (against), so we practiced that a lot and (were) getting ready for their outside and the shots they were going to make,” Winward said.

The next game is against Moorhead 9 a.m. Nov. 8 at the Xcel Energy Center.