Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

Volleyball pairings announced: Eagles, Hawkettes, Jaguars earn top seeds

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The Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams have all been awarded top seeds for regional play by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The third-ranked Hawkettes (25-6) will host Cedar Rapids Jefferson (6-20) or Des Moines East (5-18) in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. With a win, they … [Read more...] about Volleyball pairings announced: Eagles, Hawkettes, Jaguars earn top seeds

‘We turned it around’: Hawkettes drop first set, then cruise to third win over Waukee

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s never easy scoring multiple wins over the same volleyball team in the same season when playing in the CIML Conference. But third-ranked Ankeny was able to bounce back from a first set loss on its home court and rallied for a 22-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-19 victory over No. 14 Waukee in the third meeting between the two … [Read more...] about ‘We turned it around’: Hawkettes drop first set, then cruise to third win over Waukee

‘We all believed in each other’: Hawkettes outlast Dowling girls in top-5 showdown

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Tuesday's top-five volleyball showdown between fourth-ranked Ankeny and No. 3 Dowling Catholic seemed like it would take five sets to decide the winner. Ankeny had no interest in a fifth set though, and the Hawkettes battled back from an 11-4 deficit and later overcame three set points in an extended fourth set to close out … [Read more...] about ‘We all believed in each other’: Hawkettes outlast Dowling girls in top-5 showdown

‘They’re good, but are beatable’: Ankeny shows some fight in loss to No. 1 Wolves

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The Ankeny volleyball team may have found a glimmer of hope from the third set of Thursday's loss to Waukee Northwest. Even though the fourth-ranked Hawkettes were swept on their home court in a showdown for the CIML Conference lead, No. 1 Northwest was pushed to the limit in Set 3 before closing out a 25-15, 25-20, 31-29 victory. "They're a beatable … [Read more...] about ‘They’re good, but are beatable’: Ankeny shows some fight in loss to No. 1 Wolves

Roush sisters reach career milestones as Hawkettes cruise to victory at Johnston

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The sister tandem of Quinn and Kellen Roush was nearing career milestones heading into the Ankeny volleyball team's Tuesday night matchup at Johnston. Quinn, a senior middle hitter, was five blocks shy of 200 career blocks. Kellen, a sophomore setter, was just four assists away from surpassing 500 career assists. The … [Read more...] about Roush sisters reach career milestones as Hawkettes cruise to victory at Johnston

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Mescher, Ankeny volleyball

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Senior libero Katelyn Mescher has helped the Ankeny volleyball team to a 22-5 record and a No. 3 ranking in Class 5A. She led the Hawkettes and ranked third in Class 5A with 190 digs going into Saturday's Waukee Invitational. Mescher was tied for second on her team with 22 aces prior to Saturday. She had completed 201 of 219 serves (91.8 percent). Here … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Katelyn Mescher, Ankeny volleyball

Hawkettes post 3-2 mark at Waukee Invite with matches vs. Johnston, NW up next

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The Ankeny volleyball team entered Saturday's Waukee Invitational with a lot of momentum after defeating a pair of top-10 opponents earlier in the week. But the third-ranked Hawkettes, who posted wins at No. 5 Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday and against No. 9 Valley on Thursday despite battling some injuries, are now dealing with some more health … [Read more...] about Hawkettes post 3-2 mark at Waukee Invite with matches vs. Johnston, NW up next

Hawkettes hold off Valley girls in 4 sets, remain unbeaten in CIML Conference play

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(Story by Isaiah Pine) The Ankeny volleyball team has historically dominated Valley, and Thursday's match was no different. Junior Hailey Wiederin racked up 26 kills as the third-ranked Hawkettes posted a 25-16, 23-25, 25-17, 25-13 victory at the AHS gym. Elle Isaacson chipped in 12 kills, and Marlee Ellison added 10. The win improved Ankeny to 3-0 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Valley girls in 4 sets, remain unbeaten in CIML Conference play

‘I think we can do a lot more’: Hawkettes dominate last 3 sets, rally past Centennial

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A year ago, the Ankeny volleyball team posted a four-set victory at Ankeny Centennial to defeat its crosstown rival for the first time since 2022. On Tuesday, the third-ranked Hawkettes did it again--in remarkably similar fashion. Ankeny overcame a one-set deficit to post a 15-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-14 victory at No. 6 Centennial. The Hawkettes also … [Read more...] about ‘I think we can do a lot more’: Hawkettes dominate last 3 sets, rally past Centennial

Hawkettes lose rematch against Iowa City Liberty, but finish 4-1 at Found Invitational

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The Iowa City Liberty volleyball team got some revenge against Ankeny during the Caroline Found Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West. The 10th-ranked Lightning posted a 21-17, 19-21, 15-5 victory in the round-robin event. They avenged a loss to No. 3 Ankeny in the championship match of the Shirley Ryan Invitational on Sept. 5 at Mount … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose rematch against Iowa City Liberty, but finish 4-1 at Found Invitational

‘I could not be more proud of this team’: Hawkettes claim Shirley Ryan Invite title

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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 … [Read more...] about ‘I could not be more proud of this team’: Hawkettes claim Shirley Ryan Invite title

Ellison records 500th career kill as Ankeny sweeps Rams in CIML Conference opener

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There are no remaining unbeaten volleyball teams in the CIML Conference. Third-ranked Ankeny traveled to Pleasant Hill on Tuesday for its league opener and handed unranked Southeast Polk a 25-13, 25-13, 25-21 loss. The Rams had gotten off to a 4-0 start, but those wins came against opponents with a combined record of 5-16. "I'm really proud of how … [Read more...] about Ellison records 500th career kill as Ankeny sweeps Rams in CIML Conference opener

‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams from multiple classes. In the end, the team walking away with the championship was the same one that captured the Class 5A title a year ago and began this season ranked No. 1 among the state's largest schools. Waukee Northwest posted a 25-22, 25-18 … [Read more...] about ‘Our confidence is really growing’: Ankeny girls earn runner-up finish at Jags’ tourney

Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams were both ranked among the top teams in their respective classes coming into the 2026 season. A winner-take-all third set was needed on Tuesday night to decide which of the two squads was going to open its season with a 2-0 record. The Hawkettes pulled out a 15-13 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

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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, … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawkettes return pair of all-staters, several other key players from 28-9 team

Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

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The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its preseason volleyball rankings on Wednesday. Ankeny is No. 3 in Class 5A behind defending state champion Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West. Ankeny Centennial is No. 10. In Class 1A, Ankeny Christian Academy is No. 4. The Eagles are ranked behind defending state runner-up Janesville, Wapsie … [Read more...] about Ankeny is No. 3, Centennial No. 10 in Class 5A rankings; ACA is No. 4 in Class 1A

Centennial trio, Ankeny threesome earn all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

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Three Ankeny Centennial volleyball stars have earned all-state honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association along with a trio of Ankeny standouts. Centennial's Mya Lei-Butters and Tatem Schmidt were joined on the Class 5A second team by fellow senior Hailey Flanders of Ankeny. Lei-Butters was a third-team pick as a junior. Two other Ankeny players, … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny threesome earn all-state volleyball honors from IGCA

Ankeny libero Flanders to play volleyball for Ferris State of Great Lakes Conference

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Ankeny senior libero Hailey Flanders has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball next year at Ferris State, an NCAA Division II school in Big Rapids, Mich. Flanders said she looked at a variety of schools before choosing the Bulldogs. "I mainly focused on high DII and low DI (schools)," said Flanders. "I committed very early compared to some … [Read more...] about Ankeny libero Flanders to play volleyball for Ferris State of Great Lakes Conference