Coming off a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament, the Ankeny volleyball team appears to be primed for another deep postseason run in 2026.
The Hawkettes return a pair of all-staters and some other key players from a team that posted a 28-9 record a year ago.
“The practices have been real productive,” said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, whose team is No. 3 in the Class 5A preseason rankings from the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union. “The preseason has been smooth.”
After placing fourth in the CIML Conference with a 5-3 mark last season, Ankeny went on to qualify for state for the eighth consecutive year. The Hawkettes then outlasted conference rival Dowling Catholic in a five-set quarterfinal to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2021.
Ankeny’s bid for the Class 5A crown came to an end with a 25-12, 25-15, 25-20 loss to top-ranked Waukee Northwest, which went on to capture its second state title in three years.
Now, the Hawkettes will be among the teams trying to dethrone the Wolves–who graduated just two seniors from a squad that enters the season with a 21-match winning streak.
“The returning players have put in the work and have high expectations for both the regular season and a deep run at state,” Baethke said.
Ankeny will reload around the talented duo of senior Marlee Ellison and junior Hailey Wiederin. The outside hitters were both named to the Class 5A all-state third team and to the Class 5A West all-district team by the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association, and they were also selected to the all-conference second team.
Wiederin, a Northern Iowa recruit, ranked eighth in Class 5A with 319 kills while posting a .261 hitting percentage. She also ranked eighth in Class 5A with 80 blocks.
Ellison, meanwhile, placed second on her team with 249 kills and 226 digs. The Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) commit also had 31 aces, the most among the returning players.
Senior middle hitters Raquel Risk and Quinn Roush are also back along with junior outside hitter Elle Isaacson. They each earned all-conference honorable mention.
Isaacson, a Drake recruit, placed third on the team with 203 kills. Risk was fourth on the squad with 142 kills and ranked third in blocks with 55.
Roush led Class 5A and ranked sixth in the entire state with 125 blocks. She also led her team with a .272 hitting percentage and had the final kill in the quarterfinal win over Dowling.
Senior setter Macie Kohl is among the other returnees. She contributed 201 assists and 13 aces.
Kohl will likely share the setting duties with senior Haylie Eimers. Eimers will play for Waldorf.
Senior Katelyn Mescher is also expected to play a key role for the Hawkettes. The Coe College commit will take over the libero position that was vacated by all-stater Hailey Flanders.
“We have everyone returning except the libero, but Kate stepped in and has been solid with ball control and defense,” Baethke said.
Ankeny will open the season on Tuesday by hosting the Ankeny Quadrangular. The Hawkettes will face North Polk at 6 p.m. and Ankeny Christian Academy at 7.