(Story by Stephen McDaniel)
It may not have been as pretty as the Jaguars were hoping for, but even “sloppy” play for Class 5A’s top-ranked volleyball team can still result in three-set sweeps.
Ankeny Centennial’s quest for the CIML Conference title continued on its home court Tuesday as the Jaguars improved their perfect league record to 7-0 on the season with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 victory over the Johnston Dragons.
“It’s a great feeling knowing we’re winning games later in the season,” said senior outside hitter Jaeden Pratt. “With rankings coming out, it’s a big win for us to keep our spot at No. 1. Tonight was a little slow on our end. We could’ve pushed our pace a little more, but it was a good win overall.”
The mission to bring home the CIML title would be completed by the end of the night thanks to a big-time assist from crosstown rival Ankeny.
Going into the matchup at Centennial, the Jaguars were guaranteed a share of the conference title at bare minimum with a win over Johnston, which ultimately came true.
But the other matchup that provided more clarity of the conference title picture was the Hawkettes going on the road to face Waukee Northwest.
Northwest had the chance to make the Jaguars earn the outright title in a later matchup with Southeast Polk if it defended its home court. But Ankeny’s five-set victory allowed Centennial to claim the throne of one of the strongest volleyball conferences in the state.
“I think we’ve tied for the conference championship a couple times in the last five years,” said Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart. “I don’t remember outright winning it. Especially in 5A this year, I thought our conference is so tough and it’s anyone’s ball game. To outright win it with this group of teams, it’s a huge accomplishment.”
The Jaguars (24-3) have been on a roll all season with just three losses overall. Two of them came during the Centennial Invite at the start of the season, and the third came during the semifinals of the Metro Classic at Southeast Polk.
Prior to Tuesday’s sweep against the Dragons, Centennial had won the Urbandale Invitational on Saturday to extend its winning streak to 10 matches.
Johnston (11-13) helped the Jaguars post their 11th consecutive win.
The first two sets followed similar paths with Centennial weathering strong starts from the Dragons before going on a run that put it out of reach for the visitors.
A 5-0 run early in the first set helped the Jaguars separate before increasing their lead up to as much as 10 points. Johnston brought it back within five points late in the set before Centennial came out of a timeout for a 6-1 run to clinch the set, 25-15.
Johnston managed to keep the second set a little closer and held a few one or two point leads early on, but it didn’t take long for Centennial to go on a run and power past the Dragons. Facing set point, Johnston rattled off three points before Pratt closed the set out for the Jaguars, 25-16.
“Winning (the Urbandale tournament) was good for us because we played some of our best ball,” Pratt said. “Coming into tonight, we just needed to maintain that and it kind of slipped under. I think moving forward, just keeping that high energy will help us a lot more.”
The third and final set was the one where the Jaguars know they could’ve played better. While they were able to jump out to as much as a four point lead, the Dragons were always within striking distance. It’s what led the set to get tied back up at 18-18 and once again at 22-22 and 23-23.
Centennial got some big momentum plays late in the set from senior Finley Greiner, who recorded three of her five total kills, and sophomore Sidney Rogers, who came up with a big block and gave the Jaguars some much needed points.
In the end, it was swings from Tatem Schmidt on the right side and Delaney Miller from the back row that gave Centennial the back-to-back points to secure the sweep with the 25-23 victory.
Miller led the way with 14 of the team’s 46 total kills. Pratt had eight kills, Schmidt chipped in six, and Greiner and Sophia Heither each added five fills. Maegen Cheeseman dished out 29 assists.
Mya Lei-Butters recorded three of the team’s five aces and tied Miller for most digs with 12 apiece. Pratt and Miller each had two blocks.
There’s not a whole lot of regular season left for the Jaguars, who will be looking to close it out strong before going on a big run in the postseason.
“We’re trying to play our best ball regardless of who’s on the other side,” Rinehart said. “We’re going to be prepared for Southeast Polk and ready to play them, but it’s most important the way we’re playing going into the postseason. That’s going to be the message (to the team).”
Centennial heads to Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Saturday for the Westside Invitational before closing out the regular season at home against Southeast Polk on Tuesday.
