• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

  • Home
  • About
    • Support Us
  • News
    • Podcast
  • Hawks
    • Boys’ Soccer
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Girls’ Soccer
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Girls’ Tennis
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Baseball
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Softball
      • Roster
      • Schedule
  • Jaguars
    • Boys’ Soccer
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Girls’ Soccer
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Girls’ Tennis
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Baseball
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Softball
      • Roster
      • Schedule

Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney

May 31, 2023 by Dan Holm

Ankeny Centennial’s Esther Guan hits a forehand return during the Class 2A state team tournament semifinals on Tuesday at Johnston. Guan rallied for a three-set win against Dowling Catholic’s Grace Frye at No. 2 singles, but the Maroons posted a 5-3 victory. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

The Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis team ran into some bad luck on Tuesday before the start of the Class 2A state team tournament semifinals at Johnston.

The Jaguars lost their No. 1 player, Abbie Peterson, to an ankle injury.

“I just woke up (Monday) and went to practice and then after that it started really hurting,” said Peterson, who placed second in the Class 2A singles tournament on Saturday in Iowa City. “I think I have an ankle impingement from overuse. It’s just like shooting pain whenever I walk on it.”

Ankeny Centennial’s Abbie Peterson watches her teammates in action on Tuesday. Peterson, the Jaguars’ No. 1 player, was unable to compete due to an ankle injury. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Without Peterson in the lineup, the third-ranked Jaguars dropped a 5-3 decision to No. 2 Dowling Catholic in the semifinals. They then fell to No. 4 Valley, 5-2, in the third-place match.

“Once it was determined that Abbie would not be able to play, we knew going into the meet against Dowling that it could be an uphill battle,” said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. “However, I could not have asked for a better showing from the girls. Each one of them stepped up and competed today, proving that we can still be competitive with any of those top teams in the state, even without our No. 1 player in the lineup.”

Centennial finished the best season in school history with a 12-3 record.

“Although the outcome was not what we were hoping for coming into the day, making it to the final four shows the progress our program has made, gives us much to be proud of, and gives us optimism for seasons to come,” Gustafson said. “This season has been full of ‘firsts,’ and our ending is yet another thing to add to that list.”

Ankeny Centennial coach Alli Gustafson gives some encouragement to Ara Lofgren during the Jaguars’ loss to Dowling Catholic. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Dowling handed the Jaguars two of their three losses. The Maroons, who went on to drop a 5-2 decision to Cedar Rapids Washington in the title match, posted a 6-4 victory at Centennial on April 11.

In Tuesday’s rematch, the two teams split the six singles matches. The Jaguars got wins from Esther Guan, Samara Peterson and Megan Yuan.

“They’re putting up a really good fight,” Abbie Peterson said during the meet. “I wish I would have been able to play and been healthy, but it just wasn’t right for me today.”

Guan rallied for a three-set victory over Grace Frye at No. 2 singles to forge the 3-3 tie.

Ankeny Centennial’s Megan Yuan celebrates after winning a point during her No. 3 doubles match against Dowling Catholic. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

“Esther had a great end to her high school career with her win against Grace,” Gustafson said. “Esther and Grace are two of the top No. 2 (players) in high school tennis, so to see them battle it out, and for Esther to take control of the second set and super-tiebreaker, was fantastic.”

After dominating the second set, Guan won the super-tiebreaker, 10-5.

“I felt really good about that because we were definitely worried with Abbie being gone, but I was glad I could get a win for our team before doubles,” Guan said.

Dowling then won the Nos. 1 and 2 doubles matches to seal the victory. Guan played with Gabby Mixdorf at the No. 1 position due to Peterson’s injury.

Ankeny Centennial’s Gabby Mixdorf serves the ball during her No. 1 doubles match against Dowling Catholic. Mixdorf filled in for injured teammate Abbie Peterson. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

“We played together one other time at Waukee Northwest, and it went a lot better than it did today,” Guan said. “But props to Dowling. They played well.”

Mixdorf, a junior, was unexpectedly thrown into the fire at the last minute.

“I’m so proud of how everyone played,” Guan said. “It was an unusual circumstance this morning finding out that Abbie wouldn’t be able to play, but I think we all stepped up.”

Gustafson praised Guan for adapting to a new partner.

Esther Guan of @girlsjagtennis hits a volley for a winner that was set up by Gabby Mixdorf’s nice serve. pic.twitter.com/h3PgQaGdZu

— ANKENY FANATIC (@AnkenyFanatic) May 30, 2023

“Esther was able to change her doubles strategy to play with Gabby,” she said. “I was so proud of how Gabby and Rozzie (Sterling) stepped up today for this team. Gabby played great in doubles both against Dowling and Valley as she filled in at the No. 1 position. She held her own in rallies and at the net and worked well with Esther. Rozzie, not having much singles experience throughout the year, stepped in against Valley and gave the match her all. She had strong groundstrokes and great patience.”

In the loss to Valley, Samara Peterson and Yuan again won their singles matches. But it wasn’t enough for the Jaguars.

“Megan and Samara both stepped up in singles and helped us get the wins we needed to advance to doubles,” Gustafson said. “They have been rockstars this season in singles and have been so solid, providing wins in most of our meets!”

The Tigers avenged an 8-3 loss to Centennial on April 13. Guan was the only senior in the Jaguars’ lineup on Tuesday.

Ankeny Centennial’s Samara Peterson hits a backhand return during her No. 4 singles match against Dowling Catholic’s Ellie Sackett. She posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

“(These girls) are just getting started; I can’t wait to see how our returning players continue to impact this program,” Gustafson said.

Here are the match-by-match results:

Dowling Catholic 5, Centennial 3

Singles–Av. Petersen (D) beat A. Peterson, retired; Guan (AC) beat Frye, 5-7, 6-0, 10-5; Mauro (D) beat Benkufsky, 6-2, 6-0; S. Peterson (AC) beat Sackett, 6-2, 6-4; Edward (D) beat Lofgren, 7-5, 6-3; Yuan (AC) beat Bakros, 6-2, 6-1.

Ankeny Centennial’s Jenna Benkufsky hits a shot during the Jaguars’ loss to Dowling Catholic. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Doubles–Av. Petersen-Mauro (D) beat Guan-Mixdorf, 6-2, 6-0; Frye-Bakros (D) beat Benkufsky-Lofgren, 6-3, 6-0; S. Peterson-Yuan vs. Sackett-Edward DNF.

Valley 5, Centennial 2

Singles–Gu (V) beat Guan, 6-3, 6-1; Moen (V) beat Benkufsky, 6-0, 6-0; S. Peterson (AC) beat Shapiro, 7-6, 6-3; Keshwani (V) beat Lofgren, 6-4, 6-3; Yuan (AC) beat Tannenbaum, 6-2, 6-2; Tomar (V) beat Sterling, 6-3, 6-3.

Doubles–Guan-Mixdorf vs. Moen-Songer DNF; Gu-Tannenbaum (V) beat Benkufsky-Lofgren, 6-1, 6-1; S. Peterson-Yuan vs. Shapiro-Keshwani DNF.

. @girlsjagtennis coach Alli Gustafson talks to her team before the start of doubles play. Gabby Mixdorf will take the place of Abbie Peterson and play No. 1 doubles with Esther Guan. pic.twitter.com/UhbQQM7cTD

— ANKENY FANATIC (@AnkenyFanatic) May 30, 2023

Filed Under: Girls' Tennis, Jaguars Tagged With: Abbie Peterson, Alli Gustafson, Esther Guan, Featured

Primary Sidebar

Support Ankeny Fanatic

Recent Posts

  • ONE OF A KIND: Smith becomes city of Ankeny’s first-ever state tennis champion
  • ‘We just can’t take anything for granted’: Jaguars rout Roosevelt, advance to state
  • Smith tops Holland, will play Clinton’s Haan for Class 2A singles championship
  • ‘We just needed a little luck’: Hawkettes earn another trip to state on Macke’s goal
  • Wahlberg’s golden goal sends Hawks back to state tourney in dramatic fashion

Find Us on Facebook

Ankeny Fanatic

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017

Categories

  • Hawks
    • Fall
      • Boys’ Cross Country
      • Boys’ Golf
      • Football
      • Girls’ Cross Country
      • Girls’ Swimming
      • Volleyball
    • Spring
      • Boys’ Soccer
      • Boys’ Tennis
      • Boys’ Track
      • Girls’ Golf
      • Girls’ Soccer
      • Girls’ Tennis
      • Girls’ Track
    • Summer
      • Baseball
      • Softball
        • Roster
    • Winter
      • Boys’ Basketball
      • Boys’ Bowling
      • Boys’ Swimming
      • Girls’ Basketball
      • Girls’ Bowling
      • Boys’ Wrestling
  • Jaguars
    • Fall
      • Boys’ Cross Country
      • Boys’ Golf
      • Football
      • Girls’ Cross Country
      • Girls’ Swimming
      • Volleyball
    • Spring
      • Boys’ Soccer
      • Boys’ Tennis
      • Boys’ Track
      • Girls’ Golf
      • Girls’ Soccer
      • Girls’ Tennis
      • Girls’ Track
    • Summer
      • Baseball
      • Softball
    • Winter
      • Boys’ Basketball
      • Girls’ Basketball
      • Wrestling
  • Top Sports Stories
    • Football
    • Volleyball
  • Baseball
  • Softball

© 2025 Ankeny Fanatic. All rights reserved.