In six sets against each other this season, the Ankeny and Dike-New Hartford volleyball teams have been separated by a total of just two points.
The two squads are that evenly matched.
The third-ranked Hawkettes posted a 26-28, 25-23, 15-10 win over Dike-New Hartford at the Ankeny Quadrangular on Aug. 26, but the Wolverines earned some revenge on Saturday with a 25-23, 19-25, 15-8 victory in the semifinals of the Shirley Ryan Invitational at Mount Vernon.
Dike-New Hartford, the No. 6 team in Class 2A, is now 12-3 on the season after sweeping Class 3A No. 3 Davenport Assumption in the final. The Hawkettes’ record fell to 11-3.
Ankeny lost in the semifinals of a Saturday tournament for the second straight week. The Hawkettes also fell in three sets to No. 2 Ankeny Centennial in the Jaguars’ Early Bird Invitational on Aug. 30.
“I thought we played well all day,” said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke. “I noticed we ran out of gas about the same time of day last Saturday. We will need to make some adjustments there, but I’m not too worried about it. We have some incredible pieces that we continue to build on, so I’m pretty happy with our progress.”
Ankeny swept all three of its opponents during pool play, including a rematch against Waterloo West. The Hawkettes posted a 21-11, 21-15 win over the Wahawks after also sweeping them at the Centennial tournament.
Ankeny rolled to a 21-6, 21-10 victory over Davis County. The Hawkettes also defeated Class 3A No. 8 Mount Vernon, 21-10, 21-10.
In the quarterfinals, Ankeny posted a 25-20, 25-21 win over Waverly-Shell Rock. Hailey Wiederin had nine kills for the Hawkettes, while Elle Isaacson chipped in eight.
Marlee Ellison pounded 11 kills in the loss to Dike-New Hartford. Wiederin added 10 more, while Miya Steinkamp dished out 15 assists.
Quinn Roush had six blocks for the Hawkettes, and Hailey Flanders racked up 13 digs. Madi Anselme completed all 16 of her serves and had one ace.
Ankeny will host a CIML Conference match against No. 4 Waukee (7-2) on Tuesday. The Hawkettes won an earlier meeting in the quarterfinals of the Centennial tournament.