Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims appears to be on the road to recovery. His team has bounced back just fine from a loss to Ankeny Centennial last month. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a sweep over visiting Ames on Senior Night. They rolled to a 25-6, 25-12, 25-12 victory to earn a share of the CIML Iowa … [Read more...] about Whims returns to bench, Hawkettes sweep Ames to tie for league crown
Volleyball
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Sam Sheldon, Ankeny volleyball
The Hawkettes' assistant coach has guided the team in recent weeks while head coach Dave Whims has been battling an illness. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Sam Sheldon, Ankeny volleyball
Ankeny tops City High to win Bettendorf title in possible preview of regional final
The long road trip to Bettendorf doesn't seem to bother the Ankeny volleyball players. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes captured the title at the Bettendorf Invitational on Saturday, going a perfect 5-0 in the round-robin tournament. They won the Bettendorf crown for the fifth straight time. Ankeny also claimed the title in 2016-19 before last year's … [Read more...] about Ankeny tops City High to win Bettendorf title in possible preview of regional final
Hawkettes, Jaguars could meet in Class 5A quarterfinals for 2nd straight year
The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams collided in the quarterfinals of last year's Class 5A state tournament. There's a chance that it could happen again this season. The Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announced its regional pairings on Thursday. Centennial has been placed in Region 3, while Ankeny is in Region 4. The defending … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars could meet in Class 5A quarterfinals for 2nd straight year
Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown, move into tie for first place in Iowa Conference
Tuesday was a good night for the Ankeny volleyball team. Not only did the fifth-ranked Hawkettes bounce back from last week's loss to Ankeny Centennial with a sweep at Marshalltown, but the Jaguars' loss to Waukee Northwest allowed Ankeny to move into a first-place tie with those two teams atop the CIML Iowa Conference. All three squads are now 4-1 with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown, move into tie for first place in Iowa Conference
‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes
For the last two weeks, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team focused most of its attention on third-ranked Ankeny. Not even an injury to one of their top players could prevent the No. 7 Jaguars from knocking off their crosstown rival. Centennial moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 28-26, 31-29, 25-23 victory at … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes
Anderson commits to St. Thomas, then suffers injury in Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
It's been a rollercoaster week for Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Olivia Anderson. On Monday, she verbally committed to play for the University of St. Thomas (Minn.). The Tommies are the first athletic program in the NCAA modern era to reclassify directly from Division III to Division I. "I'm super excited," Anderson said. "They're in the Summit … [Read more...] about Anderson commits to St. Thomas, then suffers injury in Jaguars’ win over Ankeny
Hawkettes capture Boone Invitational title, will host Centennial Tuesday
Dropping only one set along the way, the Ankeny volleyball team captured the championship of the Boone Invitational on Saturday. The third-ranked Hawkettes won all six of their matches in the round-robin tournament. They raised their record to 30-4 on the season. Ankeny also won the Boone Invitational in 2018 and 2019. The tournament was not held last … [Read more...] about Hawkettes capture Boone Invitational title, will host Centennial Tuesday
Hawkettes sweep Waukee Northwest, beat Wolves for 3rd time this season
The Ankeny volleyball team is hoping to get healthy before Tuesday's showdown against crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial. The second-ranked Hawkettes posted a 25-14, 25-20, 25-16 victory at No. 13 Waukee Northwest on Tuesday, despite battling some illnesses. "Dealing with fall colds, flus and other things we were a little sluggish," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Waukee Northwest, beat Wolves for 3rd time this season
Without Whims, Hawkettes fall to Urbandale, finish 4-1 at Waukee Invite
The Ankeny volleyball team was not at full strength on Saturday. The Hawkettes competed at the Waukee Invitational without head coach Dave Whims, who stayed at home due to an illness. "It's the first time I have missed a scheduled volleyball match in 40 years," said Whims. Assistant coach Sam Sheldon took over and guided Ankeny to a 4-1 record on … [Read more...] about Without Whims, Hawkettes fall to Urbandale, finish 4-1 at Waukee Invite
Hawkettes extend Mason City’s losing skid, raise their record to 19-3
After a difficult stretch of matches, the Ankeny volleyball team needed a breather on Tuesday night. The top-ranked Hawkettes got one in their home opener. Ankeny hit .542 on the night and rolled to a 25-10, 25-10, 25-18 victory over Mason City in a CIML Iowa Conference match. "We were able to rest a few players after playing 12 matches in the last … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend Mason City’s losing skid, raise their record to 19-3
‘We were tired’: Ankeny’s winning streak ends with losses to Dowling, IC Liberty
There will likely be another change this week at the top of the Class 5A volleyball rankings. Third-ranked Iowa City Liberty posted a 25-21, 25-18 victory over No. 1 Ankeny in the semifinals of the Caroline Found Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City West. Liberty then defeated No. 9 Dowling Catholic to capture the title. The Hawkettes had moved into … [Read more...] about ‘We were tired’: Ankeny’s winning streak ends with losses to Dowling, IC Liberty
‘DIG OR DIE MENTALITY’: Hawkettes rally in all 3 sets to sweep Urbandale
After taking over the No. 1 spot in the Class 5A rankings, the Ankeny volleyball team passed another huge test Thursday with a sweep at No. 5 Urbandale. The Hawkettes overcame a late deficit in all three sets to post a 26-24, 25-20, 25-23 victory in the non-conference match. They improved to 15-1 on the season, while the J-Hawks' record fell to … [Read more...] about ‘DIG OR DIE MENTALITY’: Hawkettes rally in all 3 sets to sweep Urbandale
Hawkettes get off to fast start, sweep to victory at No. 10 Johnston
A fast start helped the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 25-14, 25-20, 25-21 victory at No. 10 Johnston on Tuesday. After a sideout by the Hawkettes, Lexi Stephens and her teammates reeled off 10 straight points for an 11-1 lead and never looked back. They improved their record to 14-1, while the Dragons dropped to 8-4. "This was a big win in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes get off to fast start, sweep to victory at No. 10 Johnston
Hawkettes knock off No. 1 IC Liberty, No. 2 Valley to win Marj White Classic
There will likely be a new No. 1 team in Class 5A when the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union announces its volleyball rankings later this week. And it will be the same squad that raised the state championship trophy last November. Third-ranked Ankeny knocked off the top two teams in Class 5A to win the Marj White Classic on Saturday at Valley. The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes knock off No. 1 IC Liberty, No. 2 Valley to win Marj White Classic
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 151
Ankeny Centennial volleyball coach Jessica Rinehart joined assistant coach Sam Sheldon and senior outside hitter Ava Reynolds of Ankeny as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 151
Hawkettes rebound from first loss, roll past Fort Dodge in conference opener
Once the Ankeny volleyball team got rolling on Tuesday, there wasn't much that Fort Dodge could do to stop the Hawkettes. Third-ranked Ankeny posted a 25-14 victory in the first set of its CIML Iowa Conference opener. The visiting Hawkettes then rolled in the next two sets, 25-5, 25-1, to complete a sweep. "We got warmed up in the first set," said … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rebound from first loss, roll past Fort Dodge in conference opener
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hannah Baier, Ankeny volleyball
Junior outside hitter Hannah Baier has helped the third-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 7-1 record. She had 19 kills and 11 digs as the Hawkettes opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Ankeny then competed in the Ankeny Centennial Invitational on Saturday. The Hawkettes swept all three of their opponents during … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Hannah Baier, Ankeny volleyball
Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite
For the second time in five days, a potential matchup between the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams was spoiled by one of the schools' CIML rivals. On Saturday at the Centennial Invitational, sixth-ranked Valley posted a 25-21, 25-17 victory over No. 3 Ankeny in the quarterfinals. It was the first loss of the season for the Hawkettes (7-1) and … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars suffer back-to-back losses to Valley at Centennial Invite
Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown
The Ankeny volleyball team has picked up right where it left off a year ago. The defending Class 5A state champions opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Third-ranked Ankeny rallied to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 18-21, 21-10, 15-10, in the championship match. "The last match was the best one," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown