• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

  • Home
  • About
    • Support Us
  • News
    • Podcast
  • Hawks
    • Baseball
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Softball
      • Roster
      • Schedule
  • Jaguars
    • Baseball
      • Roster
      • Schedule
    • Softball
      • Roster
      • Schedule

Former Centennial star Sauer adjusts to life in Pro Volleyball Federation

April 4, 2024 by Dan Holm

Kenna Sauer of the Vegas Thrill spikes the ball during Saturday’s match against the Omaha Supernovas at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. Sauer, a former Ankeny Centennial star, is in her first season in the fledgling Pro Volleyball Federation. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

After playing for three different schools in a five-year collegiate career, Kenna Sauer thought she was ready to play professional volleyball.

But she never expected to get traded.

Originally drafted by the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Rise of the fledgling Pro Volleyball Federation, Sauer was then traded to the Las Vegas franchise in February and has since helped the Thrill to a 5-10 record.

“I was definitely shocked,” said Sauer, a former Ankeny Centennial star. “(The trade) came out of nowhere, but it’s pro sports and you really don’t have much of a say. You just pack up and go. I was on the practice squad at Grand Rapids and I loved the team there, so I was kind of sad to leave the people but I knew I was getting a better opportunity and (Vegas) had a need for someone like me at my position. It’s great to be on the active roster and see the court now. It’s exciting.”

Saturday’s match was played at the CHI Health Center in Omaha. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

On Saturday, Sauer was back in the Midwest as the Thrill dropped a 25-19, 25-17, 25-21 decision to the Omaha Supernovas at the CHI Health Center. A large group of Sauer’s family and friends made the trip to Omaha.

“It’s always nice when I can get my family out,” Sauer said. “I had about 25 people there, and that was really awesome. I even got to go home for a few days afterwards.”

Sauer, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, started her collegiate career at Missouri (2019-21). She then spent two seasons at Texas Tech (2021-22) before moving on to Houston (2023) as a grad transfer.

In 112 college matches played, Sauer racked up 1,233 kills and 900 digs. She received third-team all-American honors last fall, becoming Houston’s first all-American since 2011.

Kenna Sauer celebrates with her teammates after winning a point during Saturday’s match. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

When she decided to turn pro, Sauer likely could have played abroad like many Americans do, but she preferred to pursue other opportunities.

“I knew coming out of college that (going overseas) wasn’t something I necessarily wanted to do,” she said. “Of course, I wanted to keep playing, but the idea of going to another country for me just wasn’t super appealing. So when this opportunity came up, I thought it was perfect. But who knows? In a few years I may branch out, but this league was just too good of an opportunity to pass up right now.”

The league currently consists of seven franchises. Three more teams are expected to begin play in 2025, including one in Kansas City.

“It’s definitely been an adjustment from college,” Sauer said. “You can’t expect a league to be perfect in its first year, so I was kind of aware of that going in. But I think it’s going really well. I’m definitely grateful to be a part of this league and seeing the turnout for all the different teams. It’s really cool that a lot of people are excited to have professional volleyball in the U.S. It’s an awesome opportunity.”

Kenna Sauer passes the ball to one of her Vegas teammates during Saturday’s match. (Photo by Drue Wolfe)

Sauer has played in nine matches and scored a total of 59 points. She has recorded four aces and 10 blocks.

“When you play at a high level in college, everyone is obviously really good. But you have your standout players,” Sauer said. “At this level, everybody is ‘that player’. Everybody hits just as hard, and the game is fast. I kind of compare it to going from high school to college. Everybody was the star on their high school team, and everyone hits harder (in college). It’s the same thing now but just to another level basically.”

The Vegas franchise is based in nearby Henderson, Nev. The team plays its home matches at the Dollar Loan Center.

“I was a late addition to the team, but I feel very comfortable now,” Sauer said. “There’s a lot going on here in Vegas. We’re located in Henderson, which is about 20 minutes from the Strip. It’s a really nice town, and we have a great living situation. I do like that it’s warmer than Michigan. I literally just got back from the pool, which always helps your day become a little better.”

Filed Under: Top Sports Stories, Volleyball Tagged With: Featured, Kenna Sauer

Primary Sidebar

Support Ankeny Fanatic

Recent Posts

  • Eagles roll past Melcher-Dallas, will play in Class 1A district semifinal on Tuesday
  • Jaguars snap brief two-game skid with doubleheader sweep at Sioux City North
  • Kennedy blasts 4 homers in Jaguars’ 3 wins, sets single-season school record
  • ‘It already felt like home’: Gerstel to join Halverson on Ellsworth pitching staff
  • Struggling Hawkettes fall to 11-25 with shutout losses to ADM, North Polk

Find Us on Facebook

Ankeny Fanatic

Archives

  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • 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.