Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

‘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

Unanimous pick Flanders joins Schmidt, Lei-Butters on all-CIML first team

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Ankeny Centennial volleyball standouts Mya Lei-Butters and Tatem Schmidt have been named to the CIML Conference first team along with Ankeny star Hailey Flanders, who was a unanimous selection. A total of 14 players from the two schools earned recognition from the league's coaches. The Jaguars landed Maegan Cheeseman and Mady Ott on the all-conference … [Read more...] about Unanimous pick Flanders joins Schmidt, Lei-Butters on all-CIML first team

Ankeny’s Christensen named to academic all-state volleyball team by IGCA

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Ankeny setter Gwyn Christensen has been named to the academic all-state volleyball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. In order to be selected to the squad, an athlete must be a senior and meet two of the following three criteria: * A cumulative GPA of 3.85 or higher * An ACT score of 27 or higher (1,200 or higher SAT) * Class rank in … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Christensen named to academic all-state volleyball team by IGCA

‘We played as hard as we could’: Ankeny’s tourney run ends with loss to No. 1 Wolves

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It was going to take a monumental upset for the Ankeny volleyball team to advance to Thursday's championship match in the Class 5A state tournament. It didn't happen, but it wasn't due to a lack of effort. "I am so proud of this team," said Ankeny junior Marlee Ellison. "We've worked so hard all season, and we just have a really great bond. I think … [Read more...] about ‘We played as hard as we could’: Ankeny’s tourney run ends with loss to No. 1 Wolves

‘It’s just the best feeling’: Hawkettes oust Dowling in 5-set thriller, earn shot at NW

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Quinn Roush wasn't a major part of the Ankeny volleyball team's offensive attack during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. But the junior middle hitter picked the perfect time to pound just her second kill of the day. Roush put the ball down to give the sixth-ranked Hawkettes a thrilling five-set victory over No. 5 Dowling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling’: Hawkettes oust Dowling in 5-set thriller, earn shot at NW

‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) A lot has changed on Ankeny’s volleyball roster between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but the Hawkettes' tradition of reaching the Class 5A state tournament hasn’t changed. Ankeny faced heavy losses to graduation, simply reloaded its roster and officially punched its ticket right back to Coralville. The sixth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy

‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener

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The Ankeny volleyball team didn't waste much time advancing to the final round of regional play. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes scored the first eight points of the match and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 25-11, 25-10, 25-7, in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Thursday. They hit .429 on the night and racked up 10 aces while completing 73-of-74 … [Read more...] about ‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener

‘It was a complete team effort’: Hawkettes cruise past Urbandale on Senior Night

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The Ankeny volleyball team celebrated its Senior Night on Tuesday with a convincing sweep. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes closed out the regular season by cruising to a 25-8, 25-16, 25-5 victory over visiting Urbandale. "It was a fantastic night to celebrate our seniors against an opponent we are familiar with," said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, who coached … [Read more...] about ‘It was a complete team effort’: Hawkettes cruise past Urbandale on Senior Night