A loss is like really good sometimes because you learn about different things you can do.”

Hannah Maxwell, senior setter

After a tough loss to a very talented Hudson team Tuesday, Park got back on the winning side of the ledger with a competitive four-game volleyball win over a strong visiting New Life Academy of Woodbury team Thursday.

New Life Academy came into the contest ranked No. 6 in Class 1A and is considered the favorite to win the Section 4 title.

The Wolfpack won 25-21, 23-25, 25-22 and 25-17.

Park finished its non-conference season with an 8-1 record. New Life slipped to 5-3-2 overall.

Hudson 3, Park 1

Park’s season-openings seven-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday evening, but the loss may be just what the doctor ordered in the long run.

Hudson, the fifth-ranked team in Wisconsin, came into the game with a gaudy 17-0 record and dropped the host Wolfpack in four tight games, winning 25-23, 29-31, 25-16 and 25-19.

“We can’t be disappointed,” said Park head coach Amy Johnson. “That was a very good team and I scheduled that team purposely so that we can learn something. And, yea, I want to win all the time. But if we don’t play teams like that we’re not getting ready for our conference season.

“To see like where do we need to tighten up, like defensively, blocking, hitting,” added Johnson. “We keep telling the girls we need to do things just a little bit better. Not a ton better. We’ve got to do things, the small things, a little bit better. And to be in a place where a team is working on the small things is huge. That means that we are in a good place right now. We’ll get in the gym, we’ll work on those small details, come out against new Life Academy and see what we’ve got.

In the loss, the Wolfpack may have gotten some valuable lessons on what they need to focus on to get even better this season.

“I think that was a very good game,” said senior setter Hannah Maxwell. “So, we’ve been undefeated the whole season and we lost this game but it really makes us realize how much we can do with our offense and defense and stuff. It really made us learn. A loss is like really good sometimes because you learn about different things you can do.

“I think we learned how really getting a block up is good and really being where you are in defense is also good,” Maxwell continued.

Park dropped a tough one in the opening, after being tied at least six times, including 21-all and 22-all.

The second game was more of the same. Park jumped out to a substantial 13-8 lead, then watched as Hudson came roaring back to take the match into overtime. After being tied at 21, 25, 27, 28 and 29, the Wolfpack finally prevailing, winning 31-29.

Hudson looked strong in both game three or fourth, taking mid-game leads in both and maintaining it to the end.

“I think they had a way better serve receive than us,” said ninth grade middle hitter Mesa Jameson. “We did good on some parts but they were consistent and their serves were really consistent as well.

STAT LEADERS – After the Hudson game, here are Park’s statistical leaders: Kills – Jameson with 90, Sonja Lind with 40 and Rainna Jameson with 37; set assists, Hannah Maxwell with 180; service aces, Sonja Lind and Jenna Katlack with seven each; digs, Rainna Jameson with 61, Lind with 59 and Maxwell with 58; solo blocks, Mesa Jameson with four and Carly Slusser with three; Total blocks, Mesa Jameson with 16m Ameenah Alowonle and Lind with 14 each.

Park returns to Suburban East Conference next, hosting Forest Lake (0-0, 3-6) Thursday, then hosting archrival and seventh ranked East Ridge (1-0, 6-4) Monday, Sept. 23 in a huge conference showdown. Both games start at 7 p.m.