The regional volleyball pairings were announced on Thursday by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. As expected, both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny earned No. 1 seeds in Class 5A, meaning that the Jaguars and Hawkettes will only have to win two matches--both of them at home--to advance to the state tournament in Coralville. Second-ranked … [Read more...] about Regional volleyball pairings announced: Jags, Hawkettes, Eagles to start at home
Volleyball
No. 1 Wolves sweep Ankeny for their 15th straight win, clinch share of CIML crown
The Ankeny volleyball team put together a few brief runs against top-ranked Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. It's difficult, though, to sustain any kind of momentum against the powerful Wolves--who boast four Division I recruits. Northwest eventually pulled away in each set to post a 25-19, 25-18, 25-16 victory at No. 4 Ankeny, allowing the Wolves to … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves sweep Ankeny for their 15th straight win, clinch share of CIML crown
‘We just had no answers’: Hawkettes’ momentum stalls in loss at No. 6 Dowling
The Ankeny volleyball team was poised to possibly move up in this week's Class 5A rankings following Thursday's impressive victory in the Jag-Hawk showdown. Now, the No. 4 Hawkettes might be fortunate to hold onto their current ranking. Ankeny traveled to Dowling Catholic on Tuesday for its fourth consecutive CIML Conference match on the road and … [Read more...] about ‘We just had no answers’: Hawkettes’ momentum stalls in loss at No. 6 Dowling
‘It feels amazing!’: Hawkettes earn first victory over Centennial since 2022 season
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s been 1,087 days since the Ankeny volleyball team managed to defeat crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, and the Hawkettes knew they were due for a win. Now that streak has finally come to an end. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes dropped the first set on Thursday before rallying to knock off No. 3 Centennial in four sets … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing!’: Hawkettes earn first victory over Centennial since 2022 season
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Liz Baethke, Ankeny volleyball
The Hawkettes rally from a one-set deficit to beat Ankeny Centennial for the first time since 2022, ending a five-match losing streak in the crosstown rivalry. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Liz Baethke, Ankeny volleyball
Flanders earns her 500th career dig as Ankeny tops Rams in Jag-Hawk tune-up
The fourth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team tuned up for Thursday's showdown at No. 3 Ankeny Centennial with a four-set victory at Southeast Polk on Tuesday. The Hawkettes posted a 25-14, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17 win to improve to 3-1 in the CIML Conference and 20-6 overall. The Rams' records dropped to 0-5 and 5-11. Southeast Polk had been swept in all four … [Read more...] about Flanders earns her 500th career dig as Ankeny tops Rams in Jag-Hawk tune-up
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 318
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm previews Thursday’s Jag-Hawk volleyball showdown with head coaches Liz Baethke of Ankeny and Jessica Rinehart of Ankeny Centennial. Dowling Catholic offensive line coach Andy Pollock weighs in on both … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 318
‘Indianola played really well’: Hawkettes fall in semifinals of Waukee Invitational
The fourth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team was hoping to get another shot at No. 2 Waukee in the Waukee Invitational on Saturday. The opportunity never came. The Hawkettes reached the semifinals of the tournament before dropping a 25-20, 25-23 decision to Indianola. It was their first loss to an unranked opponent this season. "Indianola played really … [Read more...] about ‘Indianola played really well’: Hawkettes fall in semifinals of Waukee Invitational
Hawkettes rely on balanced attack to dispose of CIML rival Johnston in 4 sets
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After taking a 2-1 lead in a tight matchup, Ankeny coach Liz Baethke tasked her volleyball players to have their best set of the night. And the Hawkettes delivered. Fourth-ranked Ankeny slammed the door shut on Johnston in the fourth set to clinch a 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-13) road win over the No. 11 Dragons in a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rely on balanced attack to dispose of CIML rival Johnston in 4 sets
No. 4 Hawkettes finish 4-1 against ranked opponents at Caroline Found Invitational
For the second Saturday in a row, the Ankeny volleyball team traveled to eastern Iowa for a tournament featuring several ranked squads. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes went 4-1 in the Caroline Found Invitational at Iowa City West, where they lost only to Clear Creek Amana in the de facto championship match. The Clippers (18-1), the No. 1 team in Class 4A, … [Read more...] about No. 4 Hawkettes finish 4-1 against ranked opponents at Caroline Found Invitational
‘We put it all on the court’: Hawkettes fall short in 5-set thriller vs. No. 4 Waukee
The Ankeny volleyball team got off to a fast start in each of the first four sets against visiting Waukee on Tuesday. In the decisive fifth set, the fourth-ranked Warriors finally got off to a fast start of their own. Waukee jumped out to an 8-2 lead, held off a rally by No. 3 Ankeny, and eventually scored the last six points to close out a 25-21, … [Read more...] about ‘We put it all on the court’: Hawkettes fall short in 5-set thriller vs. No. 4 Waukee
‘We ran out of gas’: Ankeny drops rematch to Dike-New Hartford at Ryan Invitational
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 … [Read more...] about ‘We ran out of gas’: Ankeny drops rematch to Dike-New Hartford at Ryan Invitational
‘We like being the underdog’: Hawkettes sweep No. 7 Valley girls in CIML opener
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) If there was one thing to learn from Tuesday night, it’d be to never underestimate the Ankeny volleyball team. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes returned to their home court and proceeded to cruise to a 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-14, 15-16) over No. 7 Valley in the CIML Conference opener for both teams. “It’s awesome to get the first … [Read more...] about ‘We like being the underdog’: Hawkettes sweep No. 7 Valley girls in CIML opener
Jaguars, Hawkettes demonstrate lofty potential at Centennial’s Early Bird Invite
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
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