USA

The Dark Horses: St. John's Mavericks

The Mavs only graduated four seniors from last year’s 25-10 team, perhaps setting up a standout campaign in 2022.

Plenty of talent returns in the likes of senior setter/outside hitter/libero Katherine Nelson (300 kills, 258 digs, 249 assists, 62 aces), junior hitter Sonia Rio (140 kills), junior setter/ hitter Reese Animashaun (182 kills), junior defensive specialist Chloe Davis (319 digs), senior setter/outside hitter Margot Manning (126 kills, 394 assists, 53 aces) and sophomore outside hitter/right side hitter Daniela Laing (86 kills).

Manning is recovering from offseason knee surgery and could return for the Mavericks at some point. That’s a lot of potent production for coach Karen Morgan.