Girls' Tennis

Even without its top player, the Ankeny girls' tennis team split a pair of non-conference meets on Thursday and Friday. The Hawkettes dropped a 7-2 decision at Waterloo Columbus on Thursday before rebounding with a 6-5 victory over visiting Ottumwa on Friday. They are now 1-2 on the season. Ankeny played without senior Kira Smith, who suffered an … [Read more...] about Depleted Ankeny girls’ team edges Ottumwa for its first victory of season

In its first test of the season, the Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped a 9-2 decision to visiting Valley in a CIML Conference matchup on Tuesday. It was also the season opener for the Tigers, who won five of the six singles matches and four of the five doubles matches. "We’ve been having extremely intense practices the first two weeks to attempt to … [Read more...] about ‘Our team did a great job of competing’: Hawkettes open with 9-2 loss to Valley

The Ankeny girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of a two-time state qualifier. She's also a familiar face to the program. Senior Kira Smith, the daughter of Ankeny coach Steve Smith, has rejoined the squad after spending last year at a tennis academy in Florida. "She’s home this semester so she can graduate from Ankeny High … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team returns several players, adds 2-time state qualifier Smith to lineup

The Ankeny girls' tennis squad closed out its season on Tuesday with a 5-0 loss to fourth-ranked Valley in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament at Crossroads Park. The Hawkettes, who did not play Valley during the regular season, finished with a 4-9 record. "Overall, I thought we played well," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "When a … [Read more...] about ‘We had no double bagels’: Hawkettes fight hard in 5-0 loss to No. 4 Valley girls

Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith knew it would be difficult for any of his players to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament. But that didn't make it any easier for him to watch it unfold. "Your heart always goes out to your seniors when they don’t qualify in their last chance to make state," said Smith. "That being said, overall it was a … [Read more...] about ‘It was a solid performance’: Schmitz places 4th in singles at regional tourney

It was a memorable Senior Day for the Ankeny girls' tennis team on Friday. The Hawkettes defeated two of their three opponents in the Ankeny Invitational, highlighted by a 6-5 win over previously unbeaten Marshalltown. The Bobcats are now 13-1 on the season. "We had some amazing performances," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith, whose team also posted a 9-2 … [Read more...] about ‘We had some amazing performances’: Hawkettes win twice on Senior Day

The Ankeny girls' tennis team ran into another tough opponent on Tuesday. The Hawkettes traveled to Waukee Northwest for a CIML Conference meet and dropped a 10-1 decision to the No. 7 Wolves, who won nine of the 11 matches in straight sets. "Consistent with the theme of this season, we played another great team in extremely windy conditions," said … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Waukee Northwest, will face rival Centennial on Thursday

The Ankeny girls' tennis team earned its first win of the season by defeating visiting Southeast Polk, 7-4, on Friday. The Hawkettes won four of the six singles matches and three of the five doubles contests. "Our top four players didn’t drop a set in singles or doubles," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "(The No. 5 doubles team of) Paige Ford and … [Read more...] about ‘It was good for our team to win their first meet’: Ankeny girls defeat S.E. Polk, 7-4

The Ankeny girls' tennis team earned a moral victory on Thursday. The Hawkettes saw some positive signs during an 11-0 loss to visiting Dowling Catholic at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Maroons are ranked No. 1 in Class 2A. "It sounds weird given the meet score, but I thought we played well tonight, especially in doubles," said Ankeny coach Steve … [Read more...] about ‘I thought we played well’: Ankeny girls see progress in loss to No. 1 Maroons

It was a meet that could have gone either way. In the end, the Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision at North Polk in a non-conference battle on Thursday. The meet was played under cold and blustery conditions. "It would be easy to try to blame the circumstances as it was one of the worst nights condition-wise I’ve ever seen," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘It’s not really that big of a surprise’: Ankeny girls suffer 5-4 loss at North Polk

A depleted Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped an 11-0 decision to visiting Johnston on Tuesday. The Dragons won all 11 matches in straight sets. They improved to 2-0 in the CIML Conference and 2-0 overall. The Hawkettes' records fell to 0-2 and 0-2. "We were down five of our top 15 players, including two of our normal singles players," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Without 5 of top 15 players, Ankeny girls tumble to potent Johnston squad

The Ankeny girls' tennis team opened its season on Thursday with an 8-3 loss at Waukee in a CIML Conference meet. Ankeny coach Steve Smith said he felt better about this loss than last year's 6-5 defeat to the Warriors in the season opener. "A year ago, we lost to Waukee despite being the better team because they outcompeted us," said Smith. "I … [Read more...] about ‘We had a lot of positives’: Ankeny girls hope to build on 8-3 loss at Waukee

When the Ankeny girls' tennis team opens its season on April 4 at Waukee, the Hawkettes' lineup will feature a new No. 1 player. Kira Smith, a two-time state qualifier and the daughter of coach Steve Smith, is not on the team's roster. "Kira is training in Florida, and I’m preparing for the season as if she won’t be playing," said coach Smith. It … [Read more...] about ‘Our focus will be improving each day’: Hawkettes return 5 varsity regulars