Class AAAA Ahead of Opening Day – #1-#6

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've established #7-#13 so we are going to finish off our countdown starting at #6.&nbsp;&nbsp;There's nothing quite like an early Power Ranking before the season gets going.&nbsp;&nbsp;There was a lot to consider, like the program history, what the high school coaches are predicting, and who will be returning in 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;So without further ado, here are the top six of the early season Minnesota Class AAAA Power Rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 - Lakeville North –&nbsp;</strong>The Panthers made it to the X in 2021, won the Class AAAA Consolation Final, and posted a 24-10 record.&nbsp;&nbsp;They will look to the young up-and-comer&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='199395' first='Rayna' last='Christianson']</strong>&nbsp;to terminate the ball.&nbsp;&nbsp;Temple commit,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='86644' first='Ava' last='Blascziek']</strong>, can distribute the ball with ease and gets all of her attackers involved.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='174729' first='Sidney' last='Wissbrod']&nbsp;</strong>will lead the defense and provide the first contact to keep this squad in-system.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 - [program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432082' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430384' first='Eagan' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] –</strong>&nbsp;2021 resulted in a 25-4 record and falling to a gritty East Ridge team.&nbsp;&nbsp;They will have a very dominant young middle,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177424' first='Keira' last='Schmidt']</strong>, ready to make some waves this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 - Chaska –&nbsp;</strong>This squad was 1 match shy of making it to the X in 2021 and posted a solid 22-8 record.&nbsp;&nbsp;Concordia-St. Paul commit,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='88229' first='Ella' last='Christ']</strong>, will be returning, along with Minnesota State Mankato commit,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='86659' first='Avery' last='Rosenberg']</strong>, to power the Hawk's offense.&nbsp;&nbsp;It will be interesting to see if they can make it out of a tough section this year!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 - Champlin Park –&nbsp;</strong>Champlin Park was knocked out of the tournament by Wayzata in the Section Championship and brought their season to an end at 23-7.&nbsp;&nbsp;I think they've got some unfinished business for the likes of lefty&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='191402' first='Carly' last='Gilk']&nbsp;</strong>and setter&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='211521' first='Reese' last='Axness']</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;They also return a defensive dynamo in&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='86663' first='Sara' last='Moberg'].&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 - East Ridge –&nbsp;</strong>The Raptors took 2^nd&nbsp;to Wayzata in the Class AAAA Championship in 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their record was 23-10, and they will return the well-rounded pin hitter,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='117644' first='Hadley' last='Burger'].</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;The experienced setter,&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='107897' first='Macey' last='Spolidoro'],</strong>&nbsp;will also return, along with the heavy swings of&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='73481' first='Mikayla' last='McDougall']&nbsp;</strong>and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135307' first='Kelby' last='Opland'].</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;They have a very solid first contact coming from&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='166333' first='Ellenor' last='Crimmins'].</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 - Wayzata – </strong>This isn't a huge surprise, as they were the Class AAAA champs in 2021 going undefeated on the season, and they return a lot of star power.  Minnesota commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107264' first='Stella' last='Swenson'],</strong> will have plenty of weapons to feed this fall.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107899' first='Avery' last='Jesewitz']</strong> will look at taking on a bigger workload after the graduation of some senior pin hitters.  Meanwhile, Minnesota commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107898' first='Olivia' last='Swenson']</strong>, will be working to make her way onto the roster after being out due to injury last season. Cal commit, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135295' first='Sophia' last='Johnson'],</strong> will be going for the odd-colored jersey and a longer court presence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->