Senior setter Miya Steinkamp has helped the ninth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 6-2 record. The Hawkettes opened their season on Tuesday by defeating all three of their opponents at the Ankeny Quadrangular, then reached the semifinals of the Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational on Saturday before losing a three-set match to the No. 4 Jaguars.
Steinkamp led the team with 545 assists as a junior, when Ankeny posted a 36-5 mark and advanced to the state tournament for the seventh consecutive year. She also had 166 digs and 29 aces.
Here is some inside info on Steinkamp:
I know it’s early, but how do you think the season is going thus far?
The season is off to a strong start. We have made lots of progress since the beginning of the summer and are continuing to build team chemistry since we are a younger team. Several players have stepped up in their own ways to help the team as a whole. There’s still a lot of room for us to grow, but our team energy has been great.
Do you think Tuesday’s quadrangular was a good tune-up for Saturday’s tournament, which featured many of the state’s top teams?
Absolutely. I think Tuesday was a great start getting three wins under our belt to carry us into Saturday. It gave us a chance to compete at a high level before facing some of the top teams in the state.
Your team lost to No. 1 Waukee Northwest during pool play on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A quarterfinals, and the Wolves went on to win the title. From what you saw on Saturday, do you think Northwest will be the team to beat in Class 5A this season?
Definitely. Right now they are the team everyone wants to beat. I was proud of how we competed with them in the first set on Saturday. We know we can play at that level; we need to clean up a few things up before we face them again.
Your team rebounded with a victory over No. 3 Waukee in the quarterfinals, where you handed the Warriors their first loss of the year. What was the key to that win?
It was a big win for us. We knew it was win or go home, and our effort showed that. We did a great job shutting down key hitters, staying scrappy on defense, and being consistent start to finish.
Your team then won the first set against Centennial in the semifinals before the Jaguars rallied for the win. What did you think of the Centennial squad, and what do you think was the difference in that match?
Centennial is a very good team who is well coached and always competes at a high level. We had multiple opportunities to close it out in the second set that we didn’t take advantage of. We will learn from that match and are definitely looking forward to playing them again!
You are one of 10 seniors on the team, but the only one in that group who saw significant playing time last season. Because of your experience, are you trying to be a leader for the squad this season?
Yes, I definitely feel it’s important for me to be a leader this season. Having played in high-pressure moments, I try to help my younger teammates stay confident and feel supported. Other players like Marlee Ellison and Hailey Flanders have also stepped up as leaders, which has made a big impact.
Your team suffered a blow when junior setter Gracyn Adams suffered a knee injury in the offseason that will force her to miss the season. Are you prepared to take on a heavier load if needed, and do you think some other setters like Gwyn Christensen and Macie Kohl can help fill the void?
We were really disappointed when we found out she would be out for the season. Gracyn and I really grew close last year being some of the younger players on a senior-dominated team. We will definitely miss her this year, but both Gwyn and Macie have been working really hard to develop connections with the hitters and will be able to fill in the other setter role.
Your team has added some younger hitters to the lineup this season, including sophomores Elle Isaacson and Hailey Wiederin. How do you think those players are adjusting to playing at this level?
Both Elle and Hailey have been playing with confidence and not like sophomores at all. Their high-level club experience has helped them adjust quickly, and they’ve already become huge parts of our success. It’s been especially fun for me playing with them since I’ve known them for years through my sister, Abby.
Your team will host No. 7 Valley in its CIML Conference opener on Tuesday. How important will it be to start off conference play with a win?
It is very important to start out strong in conference play. Valley is a scrappy team and has some very good pieces. In the CIML everyone is very talented so we cannot afford to overlook anyone.
Do you have any individual goals for this season?
My goals for this season are to be a leader and strong communicator on the court. I also want to run a consistent offense and always put my hitters in the best position possible to score.
Are you planning to play in college, and if so, have you looked at any schools yet?
I have always wanted to go to a big school, so I don’t plan on playing in college. I am looking forward to making my last season very memorable and successful!