Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

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

‘This was a good time to step away’: State’s all-time winningest coach retires

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Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims has retired again. Whims, who came out of retirement to coach the Hawkettes for a second stint in 2019, said this time he won't be coming back. "I'll do some consulting with coaches, and I'll share videos and drills with them," Whims said. "I think that'll keep me busy. But as far as being a head coach somewhere, I … [Read more...] about ‘This was a good time to step away’: State’s all-time winningest coach retires

‘When I went to Kearney, it felt like home’: Stephens to play volleyball for Lopers

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It took awhile, but Lexi Stephens finally found the college that was the right fit for her. Ankeny's senior libero has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball next year at Nebraska-Kearney, an NCAA Division II program. "When I went to Kearney and met the team, it felt like home," said Stephens. "They welcomed me and made me feel extremely … [Read more...] about ‘When I went to Kearney, it felt like home’: Stephens to play volleyball for Lopers

Reynolds earns repeat all-state honors; ACA’s Quick named to Class 1A 3rd team

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Ankeny volleyball standout Ava Reynolds has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association for the second year in a row. Reynolds,a senior outside hitter, led the Hawkettes to a 40-6 record and a semifinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament. She racked up a team-high 435 kills while posting a .341 hitting … [Read more...] about Reynolds earns repeat all-state honors; ACA’s Quick named to Class 1A 3rd team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Olivia Harpenau, Ankeny volleyball

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Senior middle hitter Olivia Harpenau helped the Ankeny volleyball team to a 40-6 record this season. She had three kills and a match-high five blocks on Wednesday in the Hawkettes' loss to Pleasant Valley in the Class 5A semifinals at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. Harpenau placed third on the team with 195 kills. She was second among the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Olivia Harpenau, Ankeny volleyball

Reynolds joins Anderson, Mirembe as repeat picks on all-conference first team

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams each placed three players on the CIML Iowa Conference first team. The Hawkettes and Jaguars, who tied for the league crown with newcomer Waukee Northwest, had six of the eight first-team selections. Ankeny was represented by senior outside hitter Ava Reynolds, senior libero Lexi Stephens and sophomore … [Read more...] about Reynolds joins Anderson, Mirembe as repeat picks on all-conference first team

Reynolds earns repeat all-tournament honors after leading Ankeny to semifinals

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Ankeny volleyball standout Ava Reynolds has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team for the second straight year. Reynolds had 19 kills, 11 digs and four blocks in the Hawkettes' loss to eventual champion Pleasant Valley in Wednesday's semifinals at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. On Monday, she pounded 27 kills as Ankeny rallied for … [Read more...] about Reynolds earns repeat all-tournament honors after leading Ankeny to semifinals

‘We fell to a better team’: Hawkettes’ bid for repeat crown ends with loss to PV

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A talented squad with a lot of motivation proved to be a bad combination for the Ankeny volleyball team on Wednesday. Second-ranked Pleasant Valley posted a 25-16, 32-30, 15-25, 25-17 victory over the No. 3 Hawkettes in the Class 5A semifinals at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. The Spartans avenged last year's five-set loss to Ankeny in the … [Read more...] about ‘We fell to a better team’: Hawkettes’ bid for repeat crown ends with loss to PV

Another 5-setter?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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If Wednesday's semifinal matches in the Class 5A state volleyball tournament are half as entertaining as Monday's quarterfinal matches, then the fans at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse will be in for a treat. Monday's action included a pair of five-set thrillers. Third-ranked Ankeny outlasted No. 6 Urbandale despite scoring five fewer points overall, while … [Read more...] about Another 5-setter?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes outlast Urbandale, Dykstra in 5 sets

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University of Minnesota football coach PJ Fleck provided some inspiration for the Ankeny volleyball team on Monday. After the third-ranked Hawkettes lost two of the first three sets against No. 6 Urbandale in the Class 5A quarterfinals, Ankeny coach Dave Whims channeled his inner Fleck before the fourth set. "The girls were kind of down after losing … [Read more...] about SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes outlast Urbandale, Dykstra in 5 sets

State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

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The state volleyball tournament gets under way on Monday at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. We already know that at least one CIML team will advance to the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday. Defending champion Ankeny will face CIML rival Urbandale in one of the four quarterfinal matchups. Three other CIML teams are in the Class 5A field, … [Read more...] about State tourney preview: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A quarterfinals

Hawkettes roll past Iowa City High, will play Urbandale in 5A quarterfinals

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There was no chance that the Ankeny volleyball team was going to overlook Iowa City High on Tuesday. Not with a trip to the state tournament at stake. The third-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 25-12, 25-19, 25-9 victory over No. 13 City High in a Class 5A regional final at Ankeny. "It's an amazing feeling to be going back to the Cell (U.S. Cellular … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Iowa City High, will play Urbandale in 5A quarterfinals

Surging Hawkettes sweep Waukee, will host Iowa City High in regional final

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The Ankeny volleyball team is finally healthy after battling some illnesses for much of the season. That could spell trouble for the Hawkettes' opponents. Third-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play on Thursday with a sweep over visiting Waukee in a Class 5A regional semifinal. They posted a 25-9, 25-13, 25-14 victory to defeat the Warriors for the … [Read more...] about Surging Hawkettes sweep Waukee, will host Iowa City High in regional final