Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

Hawkettes clinch outright conference title; Jaguars bounce back with win

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While waiting for the regional pairings to be announced on Friday, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams both posted impressive sweeps in CIML Conference play on Thursday. The second-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-14, 25-13, 25-13 win at No. 10 Urbandale. They improved to 7-0 in the conference and 27-4 overall with their ninth straight … [Read more...] about Hawkettes clinch outright conference title; Jaguars bounce back with win

Wallace’s pep talk ignites No. 2 Ankeny to four-set victory over No. 5 Centennial

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When its crosstown rival started to take control of Tuesday's match, the Ankeny volleyball team turned to Jesa Wallace for a pep talk. The senior setter sparked the second-ranked Hawkettes to a four-set victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial. "Jesa gave us a little pep talk and told us that we need to focus in and play more together instead of separate, … [Read more...] about Wallace’s pep talk ignites No. 2 Ankeny to four-set victory over No. 5 Centennial

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jesa Wallace, Ankeny volleyball

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Senior setter Jesa Wallace has helped the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 25-4 record. She currently ranks second in the entire state with 747 assists. Wallace had 55 assists on Tuesday as the Hawkettes rallied from a 2-1 deficit on the road to beat then-No. 5 Waukee Northwest in five sets. The William Jewell recruit also had six digs in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Jesa Wallace, Ankeny volleyball

‘I knew we could pull through’: Hawkettes rally for five-set victory at Waukee NW

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The Ankeny volleyball team just keeps finding ways to win. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Conference with a thrilling five-set victory at No. 5 Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. After dropping two of the first three sets, Ankeny rallied for a 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9 win over the Wolves. "You … [Read more...] about ‘I knew we could pull through’: Hawkettes rally for five-set victory at Waukee NW

Hawkettes survive five-set thriller vs. Dowling, even season series at 2-2

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Parker Olson stepped behind the service line with a chance to put an end to Thursday's marathon volleyball match against visiting Dowling Catholic. The Ankeny senior didn't let the opportunity go to waste. Olson served an ace for the final point to give the fourth-ranked Hawkettes a 25-10, 25-22, 23-25, 24-26, 15-12 victory over No. 3 Dowling in a CIML … [Read more...] about Hawkettes survive five-set thriller vs. Dowling, even season series at 2-2

Schrader chooses Middle Tennessee St. over Dayton, Nebraska-Omaha

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Ankeny volleyball standout Aowyn Schrader is going to be a Blue Raider. The 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter has verbally committed to play for Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn. She picked the Blue Raiders over Dayton and Nebraska-Omaha. "It wasn't really a tough decision," said Schrader. "I went to their camp this summer, and I just really … [Read more...] about Schrader chooses Middle Tennessee St. over Dayton, Nebraska-Omaha

Hawkettes celebrate their Senior Night with dominating sweep over S.E. Polk

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Ankeny volleyball coach Dani Kohut Lynch is in her first season with the program, but she has already grown tremendously fond of the Hawkettes' seniors. Those seniors were celebrated on Tuesday before fourth-ranked Ankeny rolled to a 25-16, 25-12, 25-9 victory over visiting Southeast Polk. "Tonight was a great way to celebrate the seniors in our … [Read more...] about Hawkettes celebrate their Senior Night with dominating sweep over S.E. Polk

Hawkettes top Indianola to claim title at Waukee Invite, raise their record to 22-4

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A year ago, the Ankeny volleyball team defeated Indianola in the third-place match at the Waukee Invitational. On Saturday at the same tournament, the two teams met again--this time in the championship match. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 25-20, 26-24 victory over the No. 7 team in Class 4A to claim the title. "It was a great … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Indianola to claim title at Waukee Invite, raise their record to 22-4

Hawkettes reach final of Found Invite before falling to No. 5 Dowling again

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If the Ankeny volleyball team should happen to play either Dowling Catholic or Iowa City Liberty in the Class 5A state tournament in November, the Hawkettes will have a detailed scouting report on both opponents. Second-ranked Ankeny played both No. 4 Iowa City Liberty and No. 5 Dowling for the third time this season on Saturday in the Caroline Found … [Read more...] about Hawkettes reach final of Found Invite before falling to No. 5 Dowling again

Hawkettes outlast Johnston in 5 sets, raise their record to 14-2 on the season

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Tuesday's CIML Conference volleyball showdown between a pair of top-10 teams at Ankeny High School came down to the last two points. Third-ranked Ankeny finally emerged with a 25-20, 26-28, 25-22, 22-25, 16-14 victory over No. 8 Johnston, getting a kill from Tanith Roush to close out the match. "We had moments of greatness and moments of inconsistency, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Johnston in 5 sets, raise their record to 14-2 on the season

No. 3 Hawkettes finish 5-1 against rated opponents at Marj White Classic

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Saturday was a long day for the Ankeny volleyball team. It was also very productive. The third-ranked Hawkettes competed in the Marj White Classic at Valley High School. The round-robin tournament featured several of the state's top squads. Ankeny finished 5-1 on the day to raise its overall record to 13-2. All of its opponents were … [Read more...] about No. 3 Hawkettes finish 5-1 against rated opponents at Marj White Classic

‘It was a fun environment’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee in CIML opener

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Ankeny volleyball coach Dani Kohut Lynch wanted her team to get off to a good start in CIML Conference play. Mission accomplished. The fifth-ranked Hawkettes traveled to Waukee on Tuesday and overcame a boisterous crowd to post a 25-17, 25-12, 25-20 victory. "It was a great kickoff to the conference season," said Kohut Lynch. "That first set … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fun environment’: Hawkettes sweep past Waukee in CIML opener

Hawkettes, Jaguars reach quarterfinals of Centennial Invite before falling

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational was like a mini-state tournament, featuring many of Iowa's best volleyball squads in the 16-team field. Fifth-ranked Ankeny and No. 11 Centennial both had some moments of spectacular play. In the end, though, the Hawkettes and Jaguars were both eliminated in the quarterfinals of the championship bracket. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars reach quarterfinals of Centennial Invite before falling

‘I felt comfortable–like I was meant to be there’: Wallace to play for William Jewell

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Ankeny volleyball standout Jesa Wallace has verbally committed to play for William Jewell College, an NCAA Division II school in Liberty, Mo. Wallace, a senior setter, has helped the fifth-ranked Hawkettes to a 7-1 record. She said it was not an easy decision. "It's hard to make when it comes to where you plan on spending your next four years," Wallace … [Read more...] about ‘I felt comfortable–like I was meant to be there’: Wallace to play for William Jewell

‘It was fun’: Hawkettes top Centennial to win Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational

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The Ankeny volleyball team is off to a good start. Ankeny Centennial has plenty of reasons to be optimistic, too. Both squads opened their season on Tuesday by competing in the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Fifth-ranked Ankeny won the round-robin tournament with a 4-0 record, while No. 11 Centennial took second with a 3-1 mark. "It’s always … [Read more...] about ‘It was fun’: Hawkettes top Centennial to win Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational

Hawkettes’ new head coach ‘blown away’ by team’s progress in preseason

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When Dave Whims retired as the Ankeny volleyball coach, he left behind a talented roster. New head coach Dani Kohut Lynch inherits a team that boasts five returning varsity regulars, led by junior outside hitter Aowyn Schrader. Also back are senior setter Jesa Wallace, senior middle hitter Myra Carlson, senior outside hitter Hannah Baier and junior … [Read more...] about Hawkettes’ new head coach ‘blown away’ by team’s progress in preseason

‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program

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Dani Kohut Lynch has some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, she has some big shoes of her own. Kohut Lynch, a former St. Cloud State player and Luther College head coach, has been hired to replace legendary Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims. "I'm so excited," said Kohut Lynch. "The tradition at Ankeny is so rich. I don't have to re-invent the wheel … [Read more...] about ‘I’m so excited’: Kohut Lynch hired to take over Ankeny volleyball program