Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

‘It’s a different lineup every week’: Ankeny overcomes injuries to win Waukee title

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As the injuries continue to pile up for the Ankeny volleyball team, the Hawkettes have still managed to enjoy success on the court. Third-ranked Ankeny defended its title on Saturday at the Waukee Invitational with a 25-18, 25-19 victory over the host Warriors. The Hawkettes (16-7) defeated No. 15 Waukee (8-14) for the third time this season. "We … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a different lineup every week’: Ankeny overcomes injuries to win Waukee title

‘It was just a rough go’: Ailing Hawkettes post 3-2 record at Found Invitational

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It's a good time for the Ankeny volleyball team to regroup. The third-ranked Hawkettes went 3-2 on Saturday in the Caroline Found Invitational at Iowa City West. They will have a week off before returning to the court on Saturday at the Waukee Invitational. "I think the timing is going to benefit us so we can heal up and get back to 100 percent," said … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a rough go’: Ailing Hawkettes post 3-2 record at Found Invitational

‘It was just a complete team effort’: Ankeny outlasts No. 5 Dragons in 5 sets

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There's a reason why the top five teams in the Class 5A volleyball rankings are from the CIML Conference. On any given night, a squad that is unprepared for its CIML opponent can easily suffer a defeat. "Honestly, it's hard to call any match an upset because if you are just slightly off with any pieces of your 'A' game, you're going to lose," said … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a complete team effort’: Ankeny outlasts No. 5 Dragons in 5 sets

‘We just didn’t really play clean’: Ankeny spikers finish 3-2 at Marj White Classic

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Saturday's Marj White Classic at Valley showed just how many good volleyball teams are in the CIML Conference. The host Tigers, who entered the tournament ranked 10th in Class 5A with a 2-5 record, defeated all five of their opponents in the round-robin event to win the title. They closed out the day with a 21-15, 13-21, 15-12 victory over No. 3 … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t really play clean’: Ankeny spikers finish 3-2 at Marj White Classic

‘We came out with a lot of energy’: AHS racks up 12 aces in sweep over Waukee

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Baileigh Carlsen and Reagan Hanfelt each had three aces, their teammates combined for six more, and the Ankeny volleyball squad cruised to a 25-18, 25-15, 25-16 win over visiting Waukee on Tuesday. Carlsen also completed all 13 of her serves for the eighth-ranked Hawkettes, who went 70-of-74 from behind the line (94.6 percent) while raising their records … [Read more...] about ‘We came out with a lot of energy’: AHS racks up 12 aces in sweep over Waukee

Jaguars top Ankeny in semifinals, earn runner-up finish at Centennial Invite

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams. Sixth-ranked Centennial defeated four ranked opponents, including No. 8 Ankeny, on its way to the championship match. Then, in the finals, the Jaguars dropped a 25-21, 25-17 decision to Dike-New Hartford--the No. 1 team in Class 2A. "It was an incredible day … [Read more...] about Jaguars top Ankeny in semifinals, earn runner-up finish at Centennial Invite

‘We have a long way to go’: Hawkettes drop opener at No. 2 Dowling in 4 sets

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Coach Liz Baethke knew that the season opener for her Ankeny volleyball team was going to be a tall task. Second-ranked Dowling Catholic, which features one of the state's top hitters in Mackenzie Dean and several other tall players, proved to be as formidable as she feared. The Maroons dropped the opening set on their home court before rallying to … [Read more...] about ‘We have a long way to go’: Hawkettes drop opener at No. 2 Dowling in 4 sets

Hawkettes enter season with high hopes despite injuries to Roush, Schrader

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It's been a rough start to the 2023 campaign for new head coach Liz Baethke and the Ankeny volleyball team. Baethke, who left Urbandale after 23 years to take over the Hawkettes' program, will begin the season without Ankeny's top two returning players. Senior right-side hitter Tanith Roush suffered a broken leg during the preseason, while senior outside … [Read more...] about Hawkettes enter season with high hopes despite injuries to Roush, Schrader

‘I love many things about Iowa State!’: Ankeny’s Hanfelt commits to Cyclones

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Another Ankeny volleyball player has made her college plans. A day after teammate Baileigh Carlsen verbally committed to play for Auburn, fellow junior Reagan Hanfelt announced her commitment to Iowa State on Thursday. "I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and volleyball career at Iowa State University!" Hanfelt … [Read more...] about ‘I love many things about Iowa State!’: Ankeny’s Hanfelt commits to Cyclones

War Eagle!: Ankeny defensive specialist Carlsen to play volleyball at Auburn

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Ankeny defensive specialist Baileigh Carlsen has verbally committed to play volleyball at Auburn, beginning in the fall of 2025. Carlsen, a junior, announced her decision on social media Wednesday. "I'm super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Auburn University!" she wrote. "I would love to thank … [Read more...] about War Eagle!: Ankeny defensive specialist Carlsen to play volleyball at Auburn

Longtime Urbandale coach Baethke hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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The new head coach of the Ankeny volleyball team is already familiar with the Hawkettes' program. Longtime Urbandale coach Liz Baethke has been hired to replace Dani Kohut Lynch, who guided Ankeny to a 35-5 record in her only season at the school. Baethke accepted the position more than a month ago, but her hiring wasn't approved by the school board until … [Read more...] about Longtime Urbandale coach Baethke hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

‘I’m very excited for this next chapter!’: Ankeny’s Carlson to play for Dordt

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Ankeny volleyball standout Myra Carlson has signed a letter of intent to play at Dordt University. Dordt is a private evangelical Christian university in Sioux Center. The Defenders posted a 13-12 record last season. "I knew I wanted to stay close to home so I narrowed it down to a few NAIA schools in Iowa," said Carlson. "The Christian environment and … [Read more...] about ‘I’m very excited for this next chapter!’: Ankeny’s Carlson to play for Dordt

‘GO BISON!’: Ankeny’s Roush commits to play volleyball at North Dakota St.

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Ankeny volleyball standout Tanith Roush has verbally committed to play for North Dakota State. Roush, a junior right-side hitter, announced her decision this week on social media. "I'm so very excited and thankful to announce my verbal commitment to North Dakota State University!" Roush wrote. "If you told me 11 months ago that I would continue my … [Read more...] about ‘GO BISON!’: Ankeny’s Roush commits to play volleyball at North Dakota St.

Ankeny assistant Sheldon named head volleyball coach at Pella High School

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Ankeny assistant volleyball coach Sam Sheldon felt like she was ready to take over her own program. Now, she'll be able to do just that. Sheldon has been named the head coach at Pella High School, pending school board approval. "I feel very ready to serve their community and lead this program," said Sheldon. Sheldon has been an assistant coach at … [Read more...] about Ankeny assistant Sheldon named head volleyball coach at Pella High School

Six players from Ankeny earn all-state volleyball honors, led by ACA trio

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Six players from Ankeny's three schools earned all-state volleyball honors from the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, while four others received honorable mention. State champion Ankeny Christian Academy led the way with three all-state honorees in Class 1A. Outside hitter Carley Craighead and setter Katie Quick were both named to the first team, while … [Read more...] about Six players from Ankeny earn all-state volleyball honors, led by ACA trio

ACA quartet, Ankeny foursome, Centennial duo earn all-district honors

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The state champion Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team has placed four players on the Class 1A South Central all-district team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Setter Katie Quick and middle hitter Anna Weathers were both selected to the squad along with outside hitters Carley Craighead and Macey Nehring. The four sophomores led the Eagles to … [Read more...] about ACA quartet, Ankeny foursome, Centennial duo earn all-district honors

Ankeny volleyball trio, Centennial’s Pratt named to CIML Conference first team

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The Ankeny volleyball team placed three players on the CIML Conference first team and had seven players recognized overall by the coaches in the new nine-team league. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, led the second team with three selections and had six players honored altogether. The Hawkettes placed senior setter Jesa Wallace, junior outside hitter … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball trio, Centennial’s Pratt named to CIML Conference first team

‘Valley just played lights out’: Tigers sweep Ankeny out of Class 5A tourney

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The Ankeny volleyball team's 17-match winning streak came to an end in stunning fashion. The second-ranked Hawkettes were swept out of the Class 5A state tournament with a 25-13, 26-24, 25-21 loss to No. 10 Valley in the quarterfinal round on Monday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Tigers (22-20) avenged three losses to Ankeny during the regular … [Read more...] about ‘Valley just played lights out’: Tigers sweep Ankeny out of Class 5A tourney

Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville

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When the state volleyball tournament tips off on Monday in Coralville, second-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial will both take the courts at Xtream Arena with a ton of confidence. The Hawkettes (35-4), who are riding a 17-match winning streak, will face No. 10 Valley (21-20) in a Class 5A quarterfinal at noon on Court Two. They already own three … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville