The Ankeny volleyball team will have the luxury of playing at home during the postseason. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, may have to hit the road in order to earn another trip to the Class 5A state tournament. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its postseason pairings on Tuesday. Fourth-ranked Ankeny is the No. 1 seed in Class 5A … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn No. 1 seed in Region 5; Jaguars are No. 2 seed in Region 1
Volleyball
Jaguars look to end losing streak against surging Ankeny volleyball team
What's at stake when the Ankeny volleyball team travels across town to face Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday night? Well, mostly it's pride. And bragging rights. Both teams enter the match with 2-1 records in the CIML Central Conference. Seventh-ranked Dowling Catholic leads the league with a 3-0 mark and can wrap up the conference title with wins over … [Read more...] about Jaguars look to end losing streak against surging Ankeny volleyball team
Hawkettes commit just 6 hitting errors en route to sweep over Ames
It didn't matter which player Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims put on the court Tuesday night. The Hawkettes continued to sizzle. Fourth-ranked Ankeny dominated the opening set and went on to sweep visiting Ames, 25-6, 25-11, 25-9, in a CIML Central Conference match. The Hawkettes improved to 2-1 in the league and 27-5 overall, while Ames' records … [Read more...] about Hawkettes commit just 6 hitting errors en route to sweep over Ames
Hawkettes outlast Waverly-Shell Rock to defend Boone Invitational title
The Ankeny volleyball team continued its winning ways on Saturday by claiming the Boone Invitational title for the second straight year. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes rallied for a 21-25, 25-18, 15-11 victory over Waverly-Shell Rock in the championship match. Waverly-Shell Rock, the No. 7 team in Class 4A, also lost to Ankeny in last year's final after … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Waverly-Shell Rock to defend Boone Invitational title
Hawkettes sweep past Urbandale, but lose Scheib to ankle injury
The Ankeny volleyball team swept its way to a victory on Tuesday but lost one of its key players in the process. Junior middle hitter McKenna Scheib went down with an injury during the third-ranked Hawkettes' 25-19, 25-19, 25-15 win at Urbandale. She is not expected to play in the Boone Invitational on Saturday. "It was on a play at the net," said … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep past Urbandale, but lose Scheib to ankle injury
Hawkettes top Lincoln at Waukee tourney for Whims’ 1,000th career win
Dave Whims wanted to reach his coaching milestone as quickly as possible. His Ankeny volleyball players made sure that he did. The third-ranked Hawkettes routed Des Moines Lincoln, 21-6, 21-11, in their opening match at the Waukee Invitational on Saturday. It was the 1,000th victory of Whims' coaching career. "We settled that request quickly," Whims … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Lincoln at Waukee tourney for Whims’ 1,000th career win
Maroons sweep Ankeny, prevent Whims from reaching 1,000-victory mark
The Dowling Catholic volleyball players had no desire to be a part of Dave Whims' 1,000th career win. The legendary Ankeny coach was hoping to reach the historic milestone on Tuesday, but the host Maroons had some other ideas. Fifth-ranked Dowling avenged an earlier loss with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-22 victory over the No. 2 Hawkettes in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Maroons sweep Ankeny, prevent Whims from reaching 1,000-victory mark
Hawkettes place 2nd at tournament as Whims closes in on milestone
Somehow, the Ankeny volleyball team nearly captured the title at the Caroline Found Extravaganza on Saturday at Iowa City West. The second-ranked Hawkettes played without all-state setter Phyona Schrader, who missed the tournament in order to take the ACT test. They also lost two other key players, outside hitter Isabelle Vacek and libero Kaci Behrens, to … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 2nd at tournament as Whims closes in on milestone
Hawkettes continue their winning ways with victory over Mason City
It would have been easy for the Ankeny volleyball team to have a letdown on Tuesday night. No such worries. Coming off a perfect 5-0 day at the Marge White Valley Invitational on Saturday, the second-ranked Hawkettes continued their winning ways with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-23 victory over visiting Mason City. They improved to 12-1 on the season, while the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes continue their winning ways with victory over Mason City
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kaci Behrens, Ankeny volleyball
Senior libero Kaci Behrens has helped the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to an 11-1 record. She leads the team with 66 digs. On Saturday, Behrens racked up 19 digs as the Hawkettes won all five of their matches--three of them against fellow top-five opponents--to capture the Marj White Valley Invitational title. She also completed 24-of-25 serves … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kaci Behrens, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes defeat three other top-5 foes, capture Valley Invitational crown
After moving up to the No. 2 spot in the latest Class 5A rankings, the Ankeny volleyball team proved on Saturday that it deserves such a lofty perch. The Hawkettes won all five of their matches--three of them against the trio of teams ranked immediately below them--to win the Marj White Valley Invitational title. They raised their record to 11-1 on the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes defeat three other top-5 foes, capture Valley Invitational crown
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lauren Willets, Ankeny volleyball
Lauren Willets is a member of the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team. She has helped the Hawkettes to a 6-1 record. Willets, a senior, came off the bench and contributed five digs in Ankeny's five-set victory over No. 5 Waukee in its season opener on Aug. 27. "I think she surprised herself in how good she is," Ankeny coach Dave Whims said of Willets. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lauren Willets, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes lose just 13 points while sweeping Des Moines East
It didn't take long for the Ankeny volleyball team to earn its sixth victory of the season. The third-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 25-5, 25-5, 25-3 win at Des Moines East on Tuesday. They raised their record to 6-1, while the Scarlets fell to 0-2. "We made quick work of them," said Ankeny coach Dave Whims. "We came out strong and maintained the effort … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose just 13 points while sweeping Des Moines East
Hawkettes advance to semifinals before falling to No. 1 Cedar Falls
Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational provided another opportunity for the Ankeny volleyball players to test themselves. After knocking off fifth-ranked Waukee in their season opener on Aug. 27, the No. 3 Hawkettes returned to action on Saturday and went 4-1 at Centennial's tournament. They advanced to the semifinals before dropping a 25-23, 25-12 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to semifinals before falling to No. 1 Cedar Falls
‘It was very nerve-racking’: Hawkettes outlast Waukee in 5 sets in opener
Dave Whims and his Ankeny volleyball players are still getting used to each other. On Tuesday, it proved to be a winning combination. The third-ranked Hawkettes rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat No. 5 Waukee, 19-25, 27-25, 27-29, 25-18, 15-9, in a season-opening match at Ankeny. It was the first win for Whims since the 2014 season, when he retired … [Read more...] about ‘It was very nerve-racking’: Hawkettes outlast Waukee in 5 sets in opener
Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad
A familiar face will be back on the bench Tuesday when the Ankeny volleyball team opens its season against visiting Waukee. Legendary coach Dave Whims is beginning his second stint as the Hawkettes' head coach. He took over the program following the departure of Joe Morton, who guided Ankeny to a 31-13 record and a state tournament appearance last … [Read more...] about Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad
Ankeny libero Behrens to play volleyball at William Jewell College
Ankeny volleyball standout Kaci Behrens won't have the pressure of her future plans weighing on her mind when she takes the court this fall. The senior libero announced via Twitter earlier this week that she has made a verbal commitment. "Super pumped to announce my commitment to play college volleyball and further my academic career at William … [Read more...] about Ankeny libero Behrens to play volleyball at William Jewell College
HE’S BAAAAAACK: Hall of Fame Coach Whims returns to Ankeny volleyball post
When Dave Whims retired as Ankeny's volleyball coach in 2014, he left as the state's all-time leader in coaching victories with 982. Whims was only 18 wins shy of the 1,000-victory career mark, but it appeared that he would not be able to reach the milestone. Now, he probably will. Whims has come out of retirement to again coach the Ankeny … [Read more...] about HE’S BAAAAAACK: Hall of Fame Coach Whims returns to Ankeny volleyball post
Vacek commits to play volleyball at Wayne State, will reunite with Ballenger
Ankeny's Isabelle Vacek has known for a long time that she wanted to continue her volleyball career at Wayne State College. Earlier this week, the junior outside hitter made it official. Vacek verbally committed to play for the Wildcats, beginning in the 2020 season. "I'm so excited," said Vacek. "I've been wanting to go there forever, but I tried … [Read more...] about Vacek commits to play volleyball at Wayne State, will reunite with Ballenger
Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program
Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton has resigned from his position after four years at the school. Morton compiled a 116-48 record after replacing longtime Ankeny coach Dave Whims in 2015. He guided the Hawkettes to a pair of state tournament appearances. "It's always a tough decision to walk away," said Morton. "I tried to reassure the kids when I met … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program