Class AAAA Ahead of Opening Day – Darkhorses
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@nlightsvball 16-1 was down to 6 players but Paige Wagner speaks volumes with her "don't worry, we got this" block. A lot of grit and ❤️ on this squad. #PDGauntlet @PrepDigChris @PrepDigEvents @PrepDig @PrepDigMN pic.twitter.com/J0akP4fq0V— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) May 31,…
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Continue ReadingI 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, Avery Bolles Avery Bolles 5'9" | OH Andover | 2023 State #139 Nation MN . And while they lose some offense to graduation, they do return Amelia Vokaty Amelia Vokaty 5'5" | DS/L Andover | 2023 State MN 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, Kaia Caffee Kaia Caffee 6'4" | MB Buffalo | 2024 State #16 Nation MN will command the net and provide offensive power, as well as defensive protection. Hayley Shult Hayley Shult 5'8" | S Buffalo | 2024 State MN will look to fill some big shoes in the setting role, but playing up an age this past year of club should be helpful. Grace Therrien Grace Therrien 5'8" | DS/L Buffalo | 2024 State MN 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 Kiylah Franke Kiylah Franke 5'10" | S Burnsville | 2023 State MN and Mesaiya Bettis Mesaiya Bettis 6'0" | OH Burnsville | 2025 State #28 Nation MN , this group could be very dangerous. The Blaze also returns the solid first contact of Corrina Benson Corrina Benson 5'7" | DS/L Burnsville | 2023 State MN .
Farmington – The Tigers are a potential dark horse this season. They return Julia Gordon Julia Gordon 6'1" | MB Farmington | 2023 State MN to patrol the net and Maddy Dombeck Maddy Dombeck 5'7" | S Farmington | 2024 State MN as the smooth distributor. These two will bring a lot of high level experience around which to build.
Lakeville South – This may be another dark horse that most won’t see coming. With the return of Paige Wagner Paige Wagner 6'3" | MB Lakeville South | 2024 State MN in the middle and Olivia Wagner Olivia Wagner 6'0" | S Lakeville South | 2025 State MN taking care of the 2nd contact to feed her as long as the ball is up and playable, they will be dangerous. Callie Carlson Callie Carlson 5'6" | DS/L Lakeville South | 2023 State MN is sure to provide a solid first contact, as well as a lot of great defensive touches.
Maple Grove – The first contact will be from the super solid Liesl Haugen Liesl Haugen 5'8" | DS/L Maple Grove | 2023 State MN . Audrey Waterman Audrey Waterman 5'10" | S Maple Grove | 2024 State MN will distribute to the hot hand, and it will be no surprise when Abigail Bulthuis Abigail Bulthuis 6'0" | OH Maple Grove | 2024 State MN 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, Mia Weaver Mia Weaver 6'0" | OH Southwest | 2025 State MN , 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 Kate Simington Kate Simington 6'4" | MB Minnetonka | 2023 State #174 Nation MN to take charge at the net, and when you pair her up with Keely Campuzano Keely Campuzano 6'1" | RS Minnetonka | 2023 State MN , 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. Audrey Kocon Audrey Kocon 6'2" | S Mounds View | 2024 State #171 Nation MN 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.