Class AAAA Ahead of Opening Day - Darkhorses

<figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/BreitNelson/status/1531427623510884353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1531427623510884353%7Ctwgr%5E3e2dbbda3555cc9e35bd1660881952cd75afd7a5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.x.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Fx.com2FBreitNelson2Fstatus2F1531427623510884353widget%3DTweet </div></figure>   I personally love a good Cinderella story. Of course, I have a lot of respect for the programs that can train and turn out high level athletes and maintain a high level of success each year, but it's the teams we don't expect to win that make things exciting. Here are nine Minnesota Class AAAA programs that could make some real waves in 2022.   Andover – This squad is led by a real dynamic attacker in Colorado commit, [player_tooltip player_id='73469' first='Avery' last='Bolles']. And while they lose some offense to graduation, they do return [player_tooltip player_id='196366' first='Amelia' last='Vokaty'] who leads their defense in the back court.   Buffalo – This one may be a bit of a dark horse. The Bison are in a really tough conference, but they have some pieces who could really come together. First, [player_tooltip player_id='108666' first='Kaia' last='Caffee'] will command the net and provide offensive power, as well as defensive protection. [player_tooltip player_id='200510' first='Hayley' last='Shult'] will look to fill some big shoes in the setting role, but playing up an age this past year of club should be helpful. [player_tooltip player_id='135284' first='Grace' last='Therrien'] will return as a studly defender with some more experience after a good training year of club.   Burnsville – This squad may be flying under the radar a bit, but with the return of 2 live arms in [player_tooltip player_id='135305' first='Kiylah' last='Franke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='117880' first='Mesaiya' last='Bettis'], this group could be very dangerous. The Blaze also returns the solid first contact of [player_tooltip player_id='86662' first='Corrina' last='Benson'].   Farmington – The Tigers are a potential dark horse this season. They return [player_tooltip player_id='195121' first='Julia' last='Gordon'] to patrol the net and [player_tooltip player_id='135310' first='Maddy' last='Dombeck'] as the smooth distributor. These two will bring a lot of high level experience around which to build.   [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South'] – This may be another dark horse that most won't see coming. With the return of [player_tooltip player_id='135316' first='Paige' last='Wagner'] in the middle and [player_tooltip player_id='177425' first='Olivia' last='Wagner'] taking care of the 2nd contact to feed her as long as the ball is up and playable, they will be dangerous. [player_tooltip player_id='73470' first='Callie' last='Carlson'] is sure to provide a solid first contact, as well as a lot of great defensive touches.   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/BreitNelson/status/1531421211837751297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1531421211837751297%7Ctwgr%5Efe793ad1fe3deaef874fa30c2e9c2463263e9190%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.x.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Fx.com2FBreitNelson2Fstatus2F1531421211837751297widget%3DTweet </div></figure>   Maple Grove – The first contact will be from the super solid [player_tooltip player_id='86642' first='Liesl' last='Haugen']. [player_tooltip player_id='174750' first='Audrey' last='Waterman'] will distribute to the hot hand, and it will be no surprise when [player_tooltip player_id='107906' first='Abigail' last='Bulthuis'] terminates for the point. They may be another dark horse, which makes this for an even more exciting season.   Minneapolis Southwest – The Lakers went 16-10 in 2021 and went down to the wire with Edina in semifinals. They will return their leading point scorer, [player_tooltip player_id='177426' first='Mia' last='Weaver'], and she will just be entering her sophomore season. They graduated some other key pieces, but they've got some young talent coming up.   Minnetonka – Minnetonka was taken out by Eden Prairie in the section semifinal in 2021. They will be returning Clemson commit [player_tooltip player_id='84949' first='Kate' last='Simington'] to take charge at the net, and when you pair her up with [player_tooltip player_id='195119' first='Keely' last='Campuzano'], they create a brick wall. They could rival some of the most terminal outside attackers.   Mounds View - Aside from a fairly mild season record of 17-12, the Mustangs will be returning one of the most versatile players I've seen. [player_tooltip player_id='107552' first='Audrey' last='Kocon'] can set, swing from either pin or the middle, and is a scrappy defender. I'm looking forward to seeing who they can put around her to bolster their squad.