In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America and Revive Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny activities director Mike Bakker and volleyball players Finley Greiner of Ankeny Centennial and Olivia Eike of Ankeny about Thursday's Jag-Hawk showdown. Revive owner Stef Gatica also makes an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 276
Volleyball
Hawkettes tune up for showdown vs. Jags by sweeping S.E. Polk on Senior Night
Even with a huge showdown against top-ranked Ankeny Centennial coming up on Thursday, the No. 3 Ankeny volleyball team couldn't afford to look past its opponent on Tuesday. The Hawkettes rolled to a 25-15, 25-15, 25-14 victory over visiting Southeast Polk to stay alive in the CIML Conference race. They improved to 3-1 in the league and 25-3 overall, while … [Read more...] about Hawkettes tune up for showdown vs. Jags by sweeping S.E. Polk on Senior Night
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kamryn Scheib, Ankeny volleyball
Senior outside hitter Kamryn Scheib has helped the Ankeny volleyball team to a 24-3 record and a No. 3 ranking in Class 5A. The Hawkettes won the Waukee Invitational on Saturday for the third consecutive year. Scheib leads Ankeny with 184 kills and 23 aces. She has also contributed 189 digs. Here is some inside info on Scheib: Congratulations on an … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kamryn Scheib, Ankeny volleyball
Carlsen reaches milestone as Hawkettes capture 3rd straight Waukee Invite crown
It's been a good week for Baileigh Carlsen and the Ankeny volleyball team. Carlsen recorded her 1,000th career dig as the third-ranked Hawkettes won the Waukee Invitational on Saturday for the third consecutive year. "Honestly, I didn't really know that I was about to hit 1,000--especially this tournament," said Carlsen, a senior libero and Auburn … [Read more...] about Carlsen reaches milestone as Hawkettes capture 3rd straight Waukee Invite crown
After long weekend, ‘tired’ Hawkettes sweep past Johnston for 19th victory
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It had been awhile since the Ankeny volleyball team got the luxury of playing on its home court after weeks of road matches and tournaments. Despite still recouping from a six-match outing--which included playing a quarterfinal round matchup instead of getting a bye--at the Live Like Line Invitational hosted by Iowa City … [Read more...] about After long weekend, ‘tired’ Hawkettes sweep past Johnston for 19th victory
Hawkettes reach title match of Found Invitational before falling to Dowling
You can probably expect another close match when the Ankeny volleyball team hosts CIML Conference rival Dowling Catholic on Oct. 1. There isn't much of a gap, if any, between the two squads. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the championship match of the Caroline Found Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West before dropping a 25-15, 22-25, 15-9 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes reach title match of Found Invitational before falling to Dowling
Jaguars, Hawkettes take over top 2 spots in Class 5A; ACA remains No. 1 in 1A
The state of volleyball in the city of Ankeny couldn't be much better. Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny are ranked in the top two spots in Class 5A in the latest rankings from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. The Jaguars (10-2) moved into the No. 1 spot after winning the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City High for the fourth … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes take over top 2 spots in Class 5A; ACA remains No. 1 in 1A
‘They just scrapped and wanted it more’: Warriors halt Ankeny’s winning streak
The Waukee volleyball team committed nine serving errors during Tuesday's match against visiting Ankeny. On most nights, it would be tough to overcome that many "free" points for your opponent. But ninth-ranked Waukee played so well in every other aspect of the game that it didn't matter. The Warriors avenged Saturday's loss to No. 4 Ankeny at the Marj … [Read more...] about ‘They just scrapped and wanted it more’: Warriors halt Ankeny’s winning streak
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 274
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Ankeny senior Reagan Hanfelt and coach Liz Baethke along with Ankeny Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart and senior Delaney Miller about the thrilling first few weeks of the volleyball season. Coldwell Banker realtor Ronda Dix also … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 274
‘Everyone played so hard’: Hawkettes beat 4 top-10 teams, win Marj White Classic
The Valley High School gym is turning into a second home for the Ankeny volleyball team. After sweeping their CIML Conference opener on Tuesday at Valley, the fourth-ranked Hawkettes returned to the Bill Coldiron Fieldhouse on Saturday and captured the championship of the Marj White Classic. They won all five of their matches in the round-robin event, … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone played so hard’: Hawkettes beat 4 top-10 teams, win Marj White Classic
‘The key was to stay on our toes’: Scheib, Hawkettes sweep past No. 11 Valley
The Valley volleyball team entered the week on a four-match losing streak. A matchup against fifth-ranked Ankeny was not what the Tigers needed. The visiting Hawkettes rolled to a 25-16, 25-17, 25-19 victory in the CIML Conference opener for both teams on Tuesday. They improved their overall record to 8-1, while No. 11 Valley dropped to 2-6. "The … [Read more...] about ‘The key was to stay on our toes’: Scheib, Hawkettes sweep past No. 11 Valley
Ankeny Christian wins Centennial Invite; Hawkettes, Jaguars tumble in semifinals
All three of Ankeny's highly-ranked volleyball teams reached the semifinals of the Ankeny Centennial Invitational on Saturday. In the end, the smallest school emerged as the winner of the tournament. Top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy, the two-time defending state champion in Class 1A, posted a 25-18, 21-25, 15-13 victory over Dowling Catholic in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Christian wins Centennial Invite; Hawkettes, Jaguars tumble in semifinals
Hawkettes hold off Ankeny Christian Academy to win Ankeny Quadrangular
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Two miles are all that separate Ankeny High School and Ankeny Christian Academy. Despite preseason scrimmages and players joining up together on club teams, the Hawkette and Eagle volleyball teams had never faced each other in a regular season matchup. Well the stars finally aligned as the Hawkettes hosted a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes hold off Ankeny Christian Academy to win Ankeny Quadrangular
‘The seeds have been planted’: Hawkettes seek more growth in Baethke’s 2nd year
Liz Baethke feels a lot more comfortable now as the head coach of the Ankeny volleyball team. The Hawkettes feel a lot more comfortable with her, too. Baethke took over the program in the summer of 2023 and guided Ankeny to a 24-15 record in her first season. The Hawkettes qualified for the state tournament before falling to Ankeny Centennial in five … [Read more...] about ‘The seeds have been planted’: Hawkettes seek more growth in Baethke’s 2nd year
Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles
The 2004-05 school year was a memorable one for Ankeny High School's athletic teams. The volleyball team won the first state title in school history. A few months later, the girls' basketball squad captured a record fourth consecutive five-player crown. It's hard to believe that was 20 years ago. In honor of those two achievements, Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny to celebrate 20th anniversary of volleyball, girls’ basketball state titles
Ex-Ankeny setter Wallace transfers from William Jewell to Pittsburg State
By all accounts, former Ankeny volleyball standout Jesa Wallace had a productive freshman season at William Jewell College. She wasn't sure, though, if the Cardinals would even field a team next year. "Entering the transfer portal definitely wasn’t on my radar, but there was a lot of things going on that were out of my control at Jewell," said Wallace, … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny setter Wallace transfers from William Jewell to Pittsburg State
Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA
Several volleyball players from Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial have received postseason honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association and the coaches in the CIML Conference. Centennial standouts Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt were both selected to the Class 5A all-state first team by the IGCA. The junior outside hitters led the Jaguars to a 31-7 record … [Read more...] about Centennial trio, Ankeny quartet receive all-state volleyball honors from IGCA
‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller
It's a shame that one team had to lose in the Jag-Hawk matchup at the state volleyball tournament on Monday. Both squads played well enough to win the Class 5A quarterfinal at Xtream Arena in Coralville. In the end, second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held on for a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory over No. 7 Ankeny, which nearly overcame a huge … [Read more...] about ‘I was fighting for my team’: Sash leads Centennial past Hawkettes in thriller
‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
Monday's Jag-Hawk rematch in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state volleyball tournament lived up to the pre-match hype. Second-ranked Ankeny Centennial held off a furious rally by No. 7 Ankeny to post a 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 14-25, 15-12 victory at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Jaguars (31-6) will play No. 3 Waukee Northwest or No. 6 Cedar Falls … [Read more...] about ‘That was a tough match’: Jaguars outlast Ankeny to advance to Class 5A semifinals
State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals
The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. We already know that at least one team from Ankeny will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Ankeny will face Ankeny Centennial in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. The tournament kicks off at noon on Court One, where Dowling Catholic will meet … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals