The Ankeny volleyball team got off to a shaky start Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament. The Hawkettes never recovered. Third-ranked Valley jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the opening set and went on to post a 25-12, 25-17, 25-18 victory over No. 6 Ankeny at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Valley for 4th time, finish season at 31-13
Volleyball
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny volleyball
Junior outside hitter Isabelle Vacek has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 31-12 record and a berth in this week's Class 5A state tournament at Cedar Rapids. She was named to the CIML Central Conference first team. Vacek leads the Hawkettes with 348 kills. She has also contributed 82 blocks, 134 digs and 34 aces. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny volleyball
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lauren Willets, Ankeny volleyball
Junior Lauren Willets of the Ankeny volleyball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Willets has helped sixth-ranked Ankeny to a 31-12 record and a berth in next week's Class 5A state tournament at Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes will face No. 3 Valley in Tuesday's quarterfinals at 2 p.m. Willets has played in 30 sets this … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lauren Willets, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids with sweep over Ames
After being swept off its own court by Ankeny Centennial four weeks ago, the Ankeny volleyball team needed to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes have done just that, winning eight of their last nine matches and punching their ticket to the Class 5A state tournament with a 25-12, 25-20, 25-11 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Monday. "I … [Read more...] about Hawkettes punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids with sweep over Ames
Hawkettes roll past Marshalltown, move closer to state tourney
The Ankeny volleyball team proved on Tuesday that the Hawkettes don't have to rely on just one or two hitters. Five different players had six or more kills as sixth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play with a 25-11, 25-12, 25-7 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes (30-12) hit .461 as a team, committing just … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Marshalltown, move closer to state tourney
Marshalltown volleyball coach is very familiar with Ankeny’s Morton
Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton will be plotting strategy against a familiar colleague on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes (29-12) will host Marshalltown (13-20) in a Class 5A regional semifinal at 7 p.m. The Bobcats are coached by Chris Brees, who has coached club volleyball with Morton. "(Morton) was my assistant in club before, so I know his … [Read more...] about Marshalltown volleyball coach is very familiar with Ankeny’s Morton
Hawkettes sweep Johnston, earn runner-up finish in conference
The Ankeny volleyball team will take some momentum into postseason play. That is, if the Hawkettes can avoid getting rusty over the next two weeks. Sixth-ranked Ankeny completed its regular season on Tuesday with a 25-20, 25-9, 25-18 victory at No. 15 Johnston. The win allowed the Hawkettes to wrap up a second-place finish in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Johnston, earn runner-up finish in conference
Hawkettes overcome injury to Behrens, claim Bettendorf championship
When the Ankeny volleyball team lost Kaci Behrens to an apparent concussion during the Bettendorf Invitational on Saturday, the Hawkettes didn't panic. Senior Karly Weber took over the libero position and helped sixth-ranked to a 5-1 record in the round-robin tournament. The Hawkettes, who improved to 28-12 overall, captured the Bettendorf title for the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome injury to Behrens, claim Bettendorf championship
Hawkettes sweep another conference foe, setting up showdown for crown
Isabelle Vacek and the Ankeny volleyball team didn't get caught looking ahead on Tuesday. Vacek pounded 11 kills to lead the sixth-ranked Hawkettes to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-14 victory at No. 11 Ames. The win sets up a showdown against No. 2 Ankeny Centennial for the CIML Central Conference title on Oct. 2. "We were happy to walk away with a sweep--the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep another conference foe, setting up showdown for crown
Hawkettes rally past Waverly-Shell Rock to claim Boone Invitational title
A few days of hard work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday resulted in a tournament title for the Ankeny volleyball team on Saturday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes rallied from a one-set deficit to beat Waverly-Shell Rock, 19-25, 25-18, 15-8, in the championship match of the Boone Invitational. It was Ankeny's 10th victory over a ranked opponent--the Go-Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Waverly-Shell Rock to claim Boone Invitational title
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Taylor Richards, Ankeny volleyball
Senior outside hitter Taylor Richards has helped the Ankeny volleyball team to a 22-10 record and a No. 6 ranking in Class 5A. The Hawkettes won the Boone Invitational title on Saturday. Prior to the tournament, Richards ranked second on the team with 163 kills, 180 digs and 20 aces. She had compiled a .203 hitting percentage. Here is some inside info … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Taylor Richards, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes sweep No. 6 Urbandale, stay tied with Jaguars for league lead
The Ankeny volleyball team appears to be on a collision course with its crosstown rival for the CIML Central Conference championship. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes are tied with No. 2 Ankeny Centennial for the league lead after sweeping No. 6 Urbandale on Tuesday at Ankeny. Both Ankeny schools are now 2-0 in the conference with three matches remaining, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep No. 6 Urbandale, stay tied with Jaguars for league lead
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karly Weber, Ankeny volleyball
Karly Weber of the Ankeny volleyball team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Weber, a senior defensive specialist, has helped seventh-ranked Ankeny to a 17-10 record. The Hawkettes swept No. 6 Urbandale on Tuesday to improve to 2-0 in the CIML Central Conference. Prior to Tuesday, Weber had played in 47 sets this season. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Karly Weber, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes open conference play with sweep over Dowling Catholic
The rubber match turned into a mismatch. After splitting two previous meetings against sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic, the No. 10 Ankeny volleyball team rolled to a 25-11, 25-21, 25-15 victory over the visiting Maroons on Tuesday. It was the CIML Central Conference opener for both squads. "I think our excitement (helped us), just being on our home court … [Read more...] about Hawkettes open conference play with sweep over Dowling Catholic
Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in Iowa City without Schrader
The Ankeny volleyball team was without sophomore setter Phyona Schrader during the Caroline Found Extravaganza on Saturday at Iowa City West. No problem. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes got strong performances from a pair of backups and earned a second-place finish in the tournament. They dropped a 25-15, 25-20 decision in the championship match to … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in Iowa City without Schrader
Middle hitters spark Hawkettes to sweep over Mason City
The Ankeny volleyball team showed off its depth Tuesday en route to a non-conference win at Mason City. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-21, 25-7, 25-20 victory to raise their overall record to 8-6. "I think the highlight of the night for us was the ability to get some of our subs in the match and see them perform at a high level as well," … [Read more...] about Middle hitters spark Hawkettes to sweep over Mason City
Hawkettes finish 3-2 against ranked teams at Valley tournament
Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton was hoping for a consistent effort from his team on Saturday at the Marj White Invitational. And that's what he got. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 3-2 record in Valley's round-robin tournament. All five of their matches came against Class 5A ranked opponents. "We were able to play at a consistent level and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finish 3-2 against ranked teams at Valley tournament
Hawkettes never let up, roll to victory over East
It would have been easy for the Ankeny volleyball team to let up against an overmatched opponent on Tuesday. But the Hawkettes never did. Sixth-ranked Ankeny got off to a fast start, kept going strong, and rolled to a 25-5, 25-8, 25-8 victory over visiting Des Moines East in a non-conference match. "Overall, I think we did a great job of maintaining … [Read more...] about Hawkettes never let up, roll to victory over East
Clinton wins rematch against Hawkettes at Centennial Invite
The Ankeny volleyball team will take a 3-4 record into the second week of the season after placing second in the consolation bracket at the Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational on Saturday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes dropped a 25-19, 12-25, 16-14 decision to Clinton in the championship match of the consolation bracket. The River Queens avenged a … [Read more...] about Clinton wins rematch against Hawkettes at Centennial Invite
Waukee rallies for 5-set win over Hawkettes in season opener
The Ankeny volleyball team was on the verge of a sweep in its season opener on Tuesday at Waukee. After winning the first two sets, the sixth-ranked Hawkettes battled No. 11 Waukee down to the wire in the third set. The Warriors then scored the final two points to emerge with a 26-24 victory, and it turned the non-conference match around. Waukee went … [Read more...] about Waukee rallies for 5-set win over Hawkettes in season opener