Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams, including nine of the top 10 squads in the Class 5A preseason rankings. Both Centennial and Ankeny came away from the tournament feeling good about their performance. The fourth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the championship match with a 22-25, 27-25, … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes demonstrate lofty potential at Centennial’s Early Bird Invite
Volleyball
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Miya Steinkamp, Ankeny volleyball
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 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Miya Steinkamp, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes top 3 foes at Ankeny Quad, while ACA looks to regroup after 0-3 start
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Whether it's the Hawkettes or the Eagles, there’s plenty of new faces stepping up into larger roles as both volleyball teams look to reload their respective rosters. Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy are both trying to fill the gaps left by big senior classes, and Ankeny’s Tuesday quadrangular featuring ACA, Dike-New … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top 3 foes at Ankeny Quad, while ACA looks to regroup after 0-3 start
‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp
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 … [Read more...] about ‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp
Jaguars are No. 4, Hawkettes No. 9 in Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings
Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top 10 of the Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars, who will host Indianola in their season opener on Monday, are ranked fourth. The Hawkettes, who will kick off the season by hosting the Ankeny Quadrangular on Tuesday, are ninth. Here is … [Read more...] about Jaguars are No. 4, Hawkettes No. 9 in Class 5A preseason volleyball rankings
Miller named to IGCA Elite all-state team, joins Pratt, Hanfelt on Class 5A first team
Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Delaney Miller has been named to the Elite all-state team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Miller and teammate Jaeden Pratt were both repeat picks to the Class 5A first team. They were joined on the squad by Ankeny star Reagan Hanfelt. Two other Ankeny players, Baileigh Carlsen and Kamryn Scheib, were both … [Read more...] about Miller named to IGCA Elite all-state team, joins Pratt, Hanfelt on Class 5A first team
After being DQ’d in medley relay, Ankeny swimmers take 29th place at state meet
It wasn't the kind of day that the Ankeny girls' swimming team was hoping for. The Hawkettes were disqualified in the 200 medley relay to open Saturday's state meet at Marshalltown, and they went on to place 29th overall with nine points. It marked the first time since 2013 that Ankeny didn't place in the top 10. Ankeny was seeded seventh in the … [Read more...] about After being DQ’d in medley relay, Ankeny swimmers take 29th place at state meet
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 283
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm recaps the state tournament and previews the Senior Volleyball Classic with coach Michele Quick, setter Katie Quick and outside hitter Carley Craighead of Ankeny Christian Academy, outside hitter Delaney Miller of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 283
Senior Volleyball Classic to feature 6 players from Ankeny, ACA coach Quick
Ankeny's three volleyball programs will be well represented in the Senior Volleyball Classic on Saturday at Johnston Middle School. Ankeny Centennial's Jaeden Pratt and Ankeny's Kamryn Scheib will both play for the Bulldogs team that will face the Panthers at 4 p.m. Katie Quick of Ankeny Christian Academy will be a member of the Panthers … [Read more...] about Senior Volleyball Classic to feature 6 players from Ankeny, ACA coach Quick
Centennial volleyball duo joins Ankeny’s star trio on CIML Conference first team
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball duo of Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt has been named to the CIML Conference first team along with fellow seniors Baileigh Carlsen, Reagan Hanfelt and Kamryn Scheib of Ankeny. Pratt, an outside hitter, earned first-team honors for the third time. Miller, an outside hitter, was also a repeat pick. Pratt and Miller led … [Read more...] about Centennial volleyball duo joins Ankeny’s star trio on CIML Conference first team
ACA’s Nehring, Quick earn academic all-state honors along with Ankeny’s Moser
Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball stars Macey Nehring and Katie Quick have been named to the academic all-state team along with fellow senior Jade Moser of Ankeny. The team was selected by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Nehring and Quick helped the Eagles to a 40-5 record and a third consecutive Class 1A state championship. Quick was named the … [Read more...] about ACA’s Nehring, Quick earn academic all-state honors along with Ankeny’s Moser
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 282
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the state volleyball tournament and the Class 5A football playoffs with Andy Pollock--who is an assistant coach for the Dowling Catholic football team and the father of Ankeny Centennial volleyball … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 282
Hawkettes’ 11-match winning streak ends with quarterfinal loss to reigning champs
One of the axioms in sports is that it's difficult to beat the same team three times. When that opponent is a talented young squad that has continued to get better throughout the season, it's even tougher to do it a fourth time. That proved to be the case for the Ankeny volleyball team on Monday in the Class 5A quarterfinals at the state … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ 11-match winning streak ends with quarterfinal loss to reigning champs
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maya Ridgeway, Ankeny volleyball
Senior outside hitter Maya Ridgeway had seven kills to help the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 25-15, 25-10, 27-25 victory over visiting Iowa City High in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday. The Hawkettes (36-4) advanced to the state tournament for the seventh consecutive year. Ridgeway currently ranks fourth on the team with 217 kills in 583 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Maya Ridgeway, Ankeny volleyball
‘It’s just really special’: Hawkettes sweep Iowa City High, earn another trip to state
The players on the Ankeny volleyball team aren't just teammates. They're also best friends--and perhaps that's a big part of their success. The third-ranked Hawkettes advanced to the state tournament for the seventh consecutive year by sweeping No. 11 Iowa City High, 25-15, 25-10, 27-25, in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Ankeny. "We're all … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just really special’: Hawkettes sweep Iowa City High, earn another trip to state
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Liz Baethke, Ankeny volleyball
The Hawkettes earn another trip to the Class 5A state tournament by sweeping Iowa City High in a regional final on Tuesday. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Liz Baethke, Ankeny volleyball
‘We had great energy’: Hawkettes sweep C.R. Jefferson, will host City High next
There were a lot of mismatches on Thursday in the semifinal round of the Class 5A regional volleyball tournaments. One of the lopsided affairs came at Ankeny, where the third-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-10, 25-10, 25-18 victory over Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The J-Hawks finished the season with a 7-28 record. "We had great energy and controlled our … [Read more...] about ‘We had great energy’: Hawkettes sweep C.R. Jefferson, will host City High next
Rematch in Class 5A semifinals?: Jaguars fall to No. 2, Ankeny stays No. 3 in rankings
Last year, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams met in the state tournament for the second time--with the Jaguars prevailing in a five-set thriller in the Class 5A quarterfinals. This year, the two teams could meet in the Class 5A semifinals. Centennial dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 in the final Class 5A rankings on Monday after falling to … [Read more...] about Rematch in Class 5A semifinals?: Jaguars fall to No. 2, Ankeny stays No. 3 in rankings
Baethke returns to Urbandale, guides Hawkettes to sweep over her former team
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Of all the gyms that the Ankeny volleyball team has played in throughout the fall, the Hawkettes closed out their regular season in one that’s more than familiar to coach Liz Baethke. The second-year Ankeny coach returned to Urbandale on Tuesday to help guide the Hawkettes to a 3-0 sweep (25-9, 25-4, 25-19) over a J-Hawks … [Read more...] about Baethke returns to Urbandale, guides Hawkettes to sweep over her former team
Regional volleyball pairings announced: Centennial, Ankeny, ACA earn top seeds
The regional volleyball pairings have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union, and all three of Ankeny's teams have been awarded No. 1 seeds. Top-ranked Ankeny Centennial has been placed in Region 1 in Class 5A. The Jaguars (24-3) will host a regional semifinal against Urbandale (2-21) or Des Moines East (5-17) on Thursday, Oct. 24 at … [Read more...] about Regional volleyball pairings announced: Centennial, Ankeny, ACA earn top seeds