Ankeny volleyball coach Liz Baethke earned her 100th victory with the Hawkettes’ program during the Shirley Ryan Invitational on Saturday at Mount Vernon.
The milestone was overshadowed, though, by the performance of Baethke’s team.
Third-ranked Ankeny recorded six consecutive sweeps over rated opponents to capture the tournament title. The Hawkettes capped off the day with a win over No. 10 Iowa City Liberty.
“I could not be more proud of this team,” said Baethke, who is now 101-31 in three-plus seasons at Ankeny. “They play with so much passion and love for the game.”
The Hawkettes (13-2) avenged a loss to Dike-New Hartford in last year’s semifinals during pool play. They posted a 21-16, 21-17 win over the Wolverines, who are ranked seventh in Class 3A.
Ankeny’s other victories during pool play came against Class 4A No. 12 Dubuque Wahlert and Class 3A No. 5 Center-Point Urbana. The Hawkettes held on in the second set for a 21-11, 23-21 triumph over Wahlert.
In the quarterfinals, Ankeny defeated Class 4A No. 15 Pella. The Hawkettes then topped Class 3A No. 6 Mount Vernon, 25-21, 25-21, for Baethke’s 100th win at the school.
“The growth and confidence in these young women is off the charts,” Baethke said. “The ceiling is unlimited.”
Baethke now owns a career record of 771-379-42. She spent the bulk of her coaching career at Urbandale, where she went 589-279-14 in 23 seasons before leaving to take over the Ankeny program in 2023.
Baethke has guided the Hawkettes to records of 24-15, 36-5 and 28-9 in her first three seasons. Each of those teams qualified for the state tournament.
Ankeny will now have a week off before competing in the Caroline Found Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West. The Hawkettes placed second at last year’s tournament.