Bold Predictions for 2024

<p>The 2024 season is well on its way and I think it's time to make some BOLD predictions on the season. With less than three months until the state tournament at the X, we are ready to talk about who could be battling it out in November. These predictions can be taken as recognition that teams have made a name for themselves as a force to be reckoned with. For others, you can use it as motivation. Prove me wrong because I love it when someone can use me as fuel to their fire. There is nothing better than seeing someone surpass expectations. So, here are some tournament predictions for the 2024 MSHSL Season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class AAAA</h2>   <p>Is this the year for Champlin Park? They've got Ball State commit, [player_tooltip player_id='211521' first='Reese' last='Axness'] to run their offense with a great deal of experience between her and 6 rotation right side and Minnesota commit, [player_tooltip player_id='191402' first='Carly' last='Gilk']. They are all set for their first contact from [player_tooltip player_id='231729' first='Ava' last='Boelter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='285187' first='Lily' last='Holoien'] who are super solid in serve receive and read the ball so well on defense. Another weapon for Champlin Park is UW-Eau Claire commit, [player_tooltip player_id='261222' first='Anna' last='Rogge'], who will provide a lot of length on the pins. Junior 6'0 pin hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='261275' first='Tessa' last='Magnan'], will also be looking to contribute and find a way to the X this fall. Adding depth to their pins is sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='509921' first='Rylee' last='Inman'] with a big swing and averaging almost 3 kills per set.</p>   <p>And what about Maple Grove? I feel like they are another team that could be in the conversation if they weren't stuck in a section with Wayzata. They've got St. Catherine commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177429' first='Marta' last='Haugen'], leading the charge this season for a long postseason. Wayzata is picking up steam as the season goes and while they have [player_tooltip player_id='396881' first='Ellie' last='Osowski'] and [player_tooltip player_id='205530' first='Katie' last='Kelzenberg'] on the outside they do have some depth with the likes of sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='509927' first='Kirstin' last='Vogt'].</p>   <p>Meanwhile, East Ridge will be looking to return to the X after falling 2-3 (22-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 14-16) to Eagan in section finals in 2023. Seton Hall commit, [player_tooltip player_id='221896' first='Alexis' last='Opland'], will be the driving force and shot-caller for the Raptors. I know I'm hoping to see [player_tooltip player_id='117645' first='Addison' last='Mattes'] back on the court and controlling the net again for her senior campaign. Another potential contributor out of the middle could be [player_tooltip player_id='285185' first='Adaora' last='Zebulun'] with her smart placement of the ball or the explosive sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='396876' first='Lauren' last='Bunge']. [player_tooltip player_id='177461' first='Sonja' last='Lind'] and Park will be out to prove something next year as they fell to East Ridge in the semifinals in 2023.</p>   <p>Lakeville North is another powerhouse that fell just short in its 2023 section. New Prague stopped them in their tracks last year and you will see NP with the likes of junior middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='586785' first='Alexis' last='Ashley'], patrolling the net. But I think you will want to keep an eye on Lakeville North's speedy middle, [player_tooltip player_id='285239' first='Brooke' last='Zweber'], this season as she could open things up for the Panthers and make a big impact. They have some depth on their defense with sophomore defensive specialist, [player_tooltip player_id='455615' first='Taylor' last='Peterson']. </p>   <p>Hot on North's heels will be [program_tooltip program_id='430430' first='Lakeville' last='South']. You can just never count them out and with Seton Hall commit, [player_tooltip player_id='191429' first='Rowan' last='Carr'], they will continue to be a contender this season. On the defensive side, you will find [player_tooltip player_id='285238' first='Josie' last='Tingelhoff'] keeping her team in system with a solid first contact and keeping rallies going with scrappy defense. I'll be interested to see if [player_tooltip player_id='455610' first='Aurianna' last='Benshoof Dallas'] breaks into the key playmakers this season for South. One other contender to not overlook is Rochester Mayo. They've got a young defensive dynamo with sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='522740' first='Brooklyn' last='Everett'].</p>   <p>Waconia should make things interesting in their section this year under the leadership of Concordia-St. Paul commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177442' first='Olivia' last='Stier'] in the middle. Centennial could also be making moves this fall after they hit a roadblock called Forest Lake in 2023. UW-Eau Claire commit, [player_tooltip player_id='285184' first='Emma' last='Peterson'] will likely keep putting up big defensive numbers for Centennial so they can make another run in their section. Chaska was so close to making it into the section championship but dropped the match in 5 against Minnetonka. They will head into the season with a chip on their shoulder and a strong leadership group including defender, [player_tooltip player_id='177444' first='Valerie' last='Mullen'] and junior 6'2 middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='500964' first='Emma' last='Hanson']. Bloomington Jefferson could be on the rise after falling in the section semifinals against Minneapolis Southwest. [player_tooltip player_id='500919' first='Lauren' last='Paetzel'] will be a staple out of the middle for the Jaguars and their quest to get back to the X.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class AAA</h2>   <p>In 2023 Delano squeaked through their section with a 3-2 (29-31, 18-25, 25-19, 25-22, 16-14) win over Northfield. Will Montana commit, [player_tooltip player_id='207317' first='Teagan' last='Jaynes'], to take control of the court this year and lead Northfield to the X? She will certainly have the experienced weapons to feed. Pacific commit, [player_tooltip player_id='285235' first='Hannah' last='Koester'], will provide an attacking option no matter where she is on the court. And while this squad has a lot of senior leadership, they've got some upcoming youth to look forward to like sophomore defensive specialist, [player_tooltip player_id='491894' first='Ali' last='Leonard']. I'd be curious to see if the quickly rising Dayton commit, [player_tooltip player_id='448741' first='Claire' last='Logeais'], can control the net enough to help Academy of Holy Angels to a section championship after making it to the semifinals in 2023. They've also got junior 6'0 pin hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='287166' first='Keira' last='Nagle'], to help power their attack.</p>   <p>Alexandria could also be in the mix with senior setter and Wingate commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177453' first='Addison' last='Rossum'], calling the shots. They battled in their section semi-final in 2023 before falling to eventual 4th place Detroit Lakes. And let's talk about Willmar with senior Libero and Sioux Falls commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177451' first='Gretchen' last='Volk']. She may be one of the grittiest defenders around and I would not assume the play is ever dead when Volk is in a different color jersey. Another victim of Detroit Lakes in 2023 was Rocori and the likes of defender, [player_tooltip player_id='283775' first='Kelsi' last='Okeson']. Rocori should have plenty of firepower and experience to bring the heat this November with the likes of senior, [player_tooltip player_id='229827' first='Kate' last='Holthaus'] and junior, [player_tooltip player_id='348405' first='Ashlyn' last='Fuchs'].</p>   <p>Monticello made their way in 2023 and Junior middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='323900' first='Ellie' last='Koprek'] will certainly be pushing to make it back to the X once again. She will have the help of Junior, [player_tooltip player_id='497128' first='Alayna' last='Opatz'], on the outside pin. Middle Blocker and senior, [player_tooltip player_id='492064' first='Marissa' last='Reed'], will be prepping her squad for a tough section. Big Lake could not quite get Monticello in 2023 but maybe with some experience, this could be their year. Although Zimmerman and Dakota Wesleyan commit, [player_tooltip player_id='261263' first='Rayla' last='Trembath'] may have other plans after falling in 5 sets to Big Lake in the Section semifinals in 2023. Trembath has a heavy swing that could light a fire for the Zimmerman squad. Another contender could end up being Totino-Grace with senior middle, [player_tooltip player_id='447293' first='Victoria' last='Ashland'], controlling the net.</p>   <p>Senior setter, [player_tooltip player_id='492600' first='Ella' last='Maslowski'], and her Cloquet squad will be making a run for the X after falling short in the section championship last year to [program_tooltip program_id='432166' first='Grand' last='Rapids']. She will have a major weapon in sophomore outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='492596' first='Ava' last='Maslowski']. Meanwhile, Mahtomedi got a taste of the tournament and will be looking to return with junior 6'0 right-side hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='584821' first='Louisa' last='Tarnowski'], who has got some more experience and confidence after this past club season with Kokoro.</p>   <p>Kasson-Mantorville will be on the hunt after falling in 4 in the section championship in 2023. They will see junior 5'10 pin hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='522744' first='Aloaha' last='Ricke'], coming in with even more power and confidence after her season with SMV. Stewartville will want to challenge that run with their own. They've got the deep defense with defensive specialist, [player_tooltip player_id='447965' first='Reagan' last='Mittelstadt']. Byron will want to make a return run to the X with their sophomore middle, [player_tooltip player_id='455600' first='Kaydence' last='Fjerstad'].</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class AA</h2>   <p>Will Nova Classical make the return to the X after falling short in 2023? With South Dakota commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177421' first='Ava' last='Ball'], in her senior season can she inspire and lead a final run for her prep career? She will have the help of junior defensive specialist, [player_tooltip player_id='586784' first='Alexandra' last='Ritenour'], and her scrappy style of play. Or will Concordia Academy repeat as section champs after tying for 3rd place in consolation in 2023? They will return middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='285255' first='Julia' last='Bigalke'] for her final season and could capitalize on her savvy at the net. Another contender from their section could also be setter, [player_tooltip player_id='285266' first='Sophia' last='Rubio'], and St. Croix Lutheran Academy. Junior outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='492586' first='Alaina' last='Koch'], will lead the charge for Howard Lake-Waverly-Winstead after losing to Watertown-Mayer in 4 sets in the section 5 semifinals in 2023.</p>   <p>Can Albany take back Section 6 with South Dakota State commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177445' first='Hannah' last='Klein'], in the driver's seat? They've also got a dynamic junior middle, [player_tooltip player_id='485662' first='Brynn' last='Panek'], who demands some attention from the block. Caledonia will have to replace some big pieces to make another run at the X this year but they have some senior leadership with Winona State commit, [player_tooltip player_id='194732' first='Liv' last='Myhre'], patrolling the net. Opposite Myhre teams will have to face [player_tooltip player_id='261267' first='Sienna' last='Augedahl'] as the middle blocker giving attackers no break from a stifling block.</p>   <p>Belle Plaine will battle with Southwest Christian for a spot at the X in 2023. I've seen [player_tooltip player_id='234999' first='Rachel' last='Johnson'] working on becoming even more versatile as a setter as well as a right-side attacker for 2024. This could be a game-changer if they have the weapons. Wadena-Deer Creek is looking to make another run to the X in 2024. They will return a young [player_tooltip player_id='447964' first='Payton' last='Gravelle'] in the middle to be their leader this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class A</h2>   <p>I would expect to see Mabel-Canton make another trip to the X in November after a 4th place finish in 2023. Led by the competitive and driven, [player_tooltip player_id='117876' first='Sahara' last='Morken'], as their setter and shot caller. One of their most prolific attackers, junior middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='221905' first='Kinley' last='Soiney'], returns after recording 32 kills in the final match against New Life Academy that went to 5 sets. One potential roadblock could be [player_tooltip player_id='285287' first='Ashley' last='B Newman'] and her Alden Conger squad. They fell in 5 sets to Mabel-Canton in the 2023 section semi-final and may have been their biggest competition in the section so they will likely be ready for more.</p>   <p>Another likely returner is West Central Area as long as they have Jamestown commit, [player_tooltip player_id='177448' first='Mya' last='Foslien'], leading the charge. She was dynamic on the big stage last year and turned a lot of heads going into her senior season. They also have sophomore middle, [player_tooltip player_id='500762' first='Jaclynn' last='Nelson'], to get excited about for the next few years.</p>   <p>Kenyon-Wanamingo will be led by their scrappy competitive setter, [player_tooltip player_id='462524' first='Carmen' last='Nerison']. After falling in 5 sets against Fillmore Central in the 2023 section semi-finals they should be looking to redeem themselves in 2024. I think Kittson County Central is going to be on a warpath this season. They lost in 5 (25-21, 23-25, 23-25, 25-12, 12-15) to Badger/GB-MR in the section 8 championship last year. They have the likes of junior 6'0 middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id='227878' first='Kaydence' last='White'], on their roster and with a little more experience under her belt. This group could be dangerous.</p>   <p></p>

The 2024 season is well on its way and I think it's time to make some BOLD predictions on the season. With less than three months until the state tournament at the X, we are ready to talk about who could be battling it out in November. These predictions can be taken as recognition that teams have made a name for themselves as a force to be reckoned with. For others, you can use it as motivation. Prove me wrong because I love it when someone can use me as fuel to their fire. There is nothing better than seeing someone surpass expectations. So, here are some tournament predictions for the 2024 MSHSL Season.