The Ankeny volleyball team has picked up right where it left off a year ago.
The defending Class 5A state champions opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Third-ranked Ankeny rallied to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 18-21, 21-10, 15-10, in the championship match.
“The last match was the best one,” said Ankeny coach Dave Whims, whose team is off to a 4-0 start. “We lost the first set, but we rebounded and took the next two.”
Ava Reynolds racked up 11 kills in the win. Hannah Baier and Aowyn Schrader each added six.
Jesa Wallace dished out 14 assists for the Hawkettes. Adalyn Goodwin had 11.
Baier also had two blocks and eight digs. Lexi Stephens chipped in seven digs.
Halle Ouellette served three aces. Goodwin and Stephens each added two.
Ankeny easily won all three of its matches during pool play. The Hawkettes opened the tournament with a 21-9, 21-12 win over Dallas Center-Grimes, followed with a 21-16, 21-13 victory over Southeast Polk, and then rolled to a 21-10, 21-8 triumph over Gilbert.
Baier had seven kills in the win over Southeast Polk. Olivia Harpenau contributed six.
Wallace finished with 11 assists. Goodwin added eight.
Ouellette and Stephens each had five digs.
The Hawkettes will compete in the Ankeny Centennial Invitational on Saturday.
