The Ankeny volleyball team has been a perennial contender in Class 5A.
The Hawkettes advanced to the state tournament last season for the seventh consecutive year. They lost in the quarterfinals to CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest, which then outlasted Ankeny Centennial in the semifinals before falling to Pleasant Valley in four sets in the Class 5A final.
Ankeny returns three varsity regulars from a team that posted a 36-5 record. They are senior setter Miya Steinkamp, junior outside hitter Marlee Ellison and junior middle hitter Raquel Risk.
Junior setter Gracyn Adams would have been another returnee, but she will miss the season due to an injury.
“The practices are going really well,” said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, whose team is ninth in Class 5A in the preseason rankings from the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union. “I’m incredibly pleased with the energy and mindset this year’s group is bringing.”
Ellison placed fifth on the team with 121 kills while posting a .198 hitting percentage. She placed third among the Hawkettes with 49 blocks.
Ellison, who was named to the CIML Conference third team, will likely take on a much larger role following the graduation of the squad’s top four hitters.
Risk had 33 kills and a .236 hitting percentage while appearing in 15 matches. She also contributed 26 blocks.
“Marlee and Raquel have made a lot of growth over the past year and will have talented younger hitters around them,” Baethke said.
There is no doubt which players will be distributing the ball for the Hawkettes, especially with the injury to Adams.
Steinkamp is back after leading the team with 545 assists. She also had 166 digs and 29 aces.
Senior setter Gwyn Christensen could fill the void left by Adams, who had 478 assists, 169 digs and 23 aces as a sophomore. Christensen played in two matches and had 12 assists.
“We are much further ahead (this year) having setters with varsity experience,” Baethke said.
Senior defensive specialists Madi Anselme and Hailey Flanders are also back from a year ago. Flanders played in 10 matches as a junior and contributed 14 digs.
The Hawkettes will open the season on Tuesday by hosting the Ankeny Quadrangular. Three-time defending Class 1A state champion Ankeny Christian Academy will also be in the field along with North Polk and Dike-New Hartford.
“I see great things to come for this group,” Baethke said. “We have an amazing pool of talent across the board. If they continue to work hard, we will be tough to beat.”