Section 4AAA Analysis: Great Athletes Create Parity

We are in the midst of sectional playoffs and the state tournament is looming just a couple of weekends out. This is a great time of year to see which teams are peaking at the right times and which athletes are leading their respective teams towards the pinnacle event of the season. The Section 4AAA bracket hosts no class AAA ranked teams, which is an indicator that any one of them could advance the furthest, especially if their is synergy in their strengths. As the quarterfinals are set to take place on Thursday, the remaining eight seeds are as follows: #1 North St. Paul, #2 Centennial, #3 Stillwater, #4 Mounds View, #5 Roseville, #6 Tartan, #7 Irondale, and #8 St. Paul Central. This section is loaded with great individual talent. Here are a few key athletes that should be the difference makers going forward: North St. Paul <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="30268" first="Lauren" last="Stenman"] - This senior is a big factor at the opposite position and can do a lot of damage with her athleticism and dynamic arm. Through a great prep and club career, she has quietly established herself as one of the premeir athletes in Minnesota’s 2020 class who is also deftly skilled as a setter although not utlized there much as part of North’s effort. She is poised to carry her team to the final weekend of play and, as the top seed, the Polars have a great shot to get there. </li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="30304" first="Yaiza" last="Franco"] - The 6’2 senior middle may be the x-factor for the Polars as she provides a great presence in the middle offensively and in blocking from pin to pin. She is a great complement to Stenman with range in her attack points that make it challenging to track her. Her high contact point includes good pace and movement on the ball.</li> </ul> Centennial <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="72072" first="Sydney" last="Petersen"] - This junior outside hitter undoubtedly is a stock riser from the 2019 high school season given the workload and success she has experienced for the Cougars. She has a great arm and good court awareness that is displayed through the variety of point scoring opportunities she creates through both power and placement. She is a six-rotation contributor and can be equally effective from both pins.</li> <li>Jadyn Clarner - The Cougars’ assists leader, she has helped her team to a 22-4 overall record. Another stock riser, she has good hand position and balance that make her difficult to read at times. She also has good footwork around the floor that allows her to utilize her position consistently to deliver pin to pin and against flow well. </li> </ul> Stillwater <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="10007" first="Maddie" last="Whittington"] - The Illinois-bound middle is among the best in the Midwest. She has tremendous experience and has been the Ponies’ primary threat for a while. She looks to cap an incredible prep career with a return trip to state. She is among the best blockers and can terminate with authority but she will need some help in order for Stillwater to break through. The Ponies have competed very well at times this season so the potential is there.</li> </ul> Mounds View <ul> <li>McKenzie Galvin - A returning Suburban East all-conference selection from 2018, Galvin has been the Mustangs’ offensive leader all season. The senior outside has developed movement on the ball that puts good pressure on the opposing defense to get in system. Also among team leaders for total digs as the six-rotation athlete has good vision and range from the middle-back position.</li> </ul> Tartan <ul> <li>Alex Lyle - Lyle has a fast arm and a great bow and arrow that allows her a lot of torque through the ball. This creates great pace and ability to hit several areas of the floor. The senior outside hitter will be relied upon a lot this week and is experienced in that role as she has done high quantity and quality of work for Tartan all season as their offensive leader. Look for the North Dakota State commit to leave it all out there so as to extend her high school career a few more matches.</li> <li>Faith Lobo - The Titans’ primary setter has led their offense all season through quickness and athleticism. She can push the ball well from pin to pin and at 5’9 she also has good presence at the net defensively while reading the ball well to help her set a good blocking position. She has various options that can help balance out Lyle’s workload and will need to utilize them in the right moments to help position Tartan for an extended run. </li> </ul>