After a 3-0 victory over Washburn, sophomore Amara Schroeder said the win was dedicated to assistant coach Sami Knott, who has been dealing with colon cancer in past years.

“Today we’re supporting our assistant varsity coach Sami. She has battled colon cancer for the last seven years,” Schroeder said. “We’re trying to raise money to help with medical treatment.”

Head coach Samantha Hanlon said the players were extra motivated this game because of the game’s dedication to Knott, which put the team in a more comfortable position with the playoffs right around the corner.

“They really played up to their abilities today and did a good job because they were dedicating this game to Sami,” Hanlon said. “We’re 14-11 right now, we’d like to win a couple more games, but we’re happy with where we’re at going into the playoffs.”

Senior captain Sophia Nagorski said the team’s effort and team-first play has improved up until this game, and made sure to highlight setter Amara Schroeder.

“Amara, our setter, is killing it and learning how to work with everyone on the team. Her hustle is great,” Nagorski said. “We’re starting to play together as a team. Our hustle stepped up and we’ve just improved overall throughout the season.”

According to Hanlon, Park has proved itself as a force to be reckoned with, despite other teams seeing them as a team that is easily defeated. 

“I’m proud of them for continuing to overcome odds,” Hanlon said. “Everyone is against us and thinks that we’re a rollover team, but we’ve proven them otherwise.”

According to Nagorski, building relationships and having an outlet for her competitive nature are the things she values most about volleyball. 

“I have made so many friends off the team and I am so competitive,”  Nagorski said. “Getting a wave of my competitiveness, making so many friends and staying happy throughout the season have been important to me.”

Hanlon said the team’s ultimate goal is to not only support Knott, but also anyone else fighting a battle with cancer.

“Donating to any sort of cancer research is vital, especially for someone like her,” Hanlon said. “Anything that we can do to find a cure for all of these types of cancers, that’s what we want to do.” 

Park is set to face off against Chaska next at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Chaska High School.