The Ankeny girls' tennis team finally opened its season on Monday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes discovered that they still have some more work to do. Visiting Waukee bounced back from an 11-0 loss to No. 6 Ankeny Centennial on Thursday by defeating Ankeny, 6-5, in a CIML Conference dual meet on the same courts at Prairie Ridge. The Warriors (1-1) won all … [Read more...] about ‘We just got outcompeted’: Hawkettes lose 7 tiebreakers, fall to Waukee
Girls' Tennis
Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes
The ceiling appears to be very high for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes return several varsity regulars from last year's squad that posted a 14-3 record. They advanced to the Class 2A state team tournament before dropping a 5-0 decision in the opening round to eventual champion Dowling Catholic, which handed Ankeny two of its three … [Read more...] about Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes
Smith places 4th in Class 2A, equaling highest finish ever by player from Ankeny
Ankeny's Kira Smith will likely have three more chances to win a girls' state tennis title. And next time, Dowling Catholic's Allison Szalay won't be in her way. Smith's bid for the Class 2A singles crown came to an end on Saturday morning, when the fourth-seeded freshman dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to the top-seeded and defending champion Szalay in … [Read more...] about Smith places 4th in Class 2A, equaling highest finish ever by player from Ankeny
NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals
A dramatic rally allowed Ankeny freshman Kira Smith to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A singles bracket in the girls' state tennis tournament on Friday at Waukee Northwest. The fourth-seeded Smith won the final four games in the third set to post a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Sasha Hyacinth of Waterloo West in the quarterfinals. She raised her … [Read more...] about NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 184
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm previews the girls' state golf meet with the Ankeny Centennial duo of Kaitlyn Ault and Payton Drefke and the girls' state tennis meet with the Ankeny trio of Kira Smith, Anna Schmitz and Tori Johnson. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 184
‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney
Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith had no reasons to be disappointed following his squad's 5-0 loss to top-ranked Dowling Catholic in the opening round of the Class 2A state team tournament on Saturday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Maroons (11-0) are likely headed to a state championship. "I thought everyone played pretty well despite the … [Read more...] about ‘Dowling is just that good’: No. 1 Maroons end Ankeny’s run at state team tourney
Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament
The brackets for the girls' Class 2A state tennis tournament have been announced by the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union. Ankeny freshman Kira Smith has been awarded the No. 4 seed in the Class 2A singles tournament. She will meet Celine Matthews of Mason City in the opening round. Junior Esther Guan of Ankeny Centennial was given a tough draw. … [Read more...] about Ankeny freshman Smith earns No. 4 seed for Class 2A singles tournament
History-making Hawkettes advance to team state for first time in AHS history
It's been a storybook season for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. And it got even better on Tuesday. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes posted a 5-1 victory over No. 10 Urbandale in the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament at Ames. The win allowed Ankeny to advance to the state team tournament for the first time ever. "Seniors Tori Johnson and Anna … [Read more...] about History-making Hawkettes advance to team state for first time in AHS history
Smith, Ankeny doubles team earn regional titles, advance to state tourney
A year ago, Megan Sommerfeld advanced to the girls' state tennis tournament in singles, becoming Ankeny's first qualifier since the split into two high schools. Now, the seventh-ranked Hawkettes have achieved some more historic feats. Freshman Kira Smith won a Class 2A regional singles title on Wednesday at Ames, while the Ankeny doubles team of Anna … [Read more...] about Smith, Ankeny doubles team earn regional titles, advance to state tourney
Hawkettes roll to wins over S.E. Polk, Norwalk at Ankeny Quadrangular
The eighth-ranked Ankeny girls' tennis team tuned up for postseason play by posting a pair of victories on Friday at the Ankeny Quadrangular. The Hawkettes rolled to a 10-1 victory over Southeast Polk and also defeated Norwalk, 8-3. They were also supposed to play Marshalltown, but that match was cancelled due to a lack of time and the fact that the two … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll to wins over S.E. Polk, Norwalk at Ankeny Quadrangular
‘This was supposed to be next year’s goal’: Hawkettes capture league crown
It didn't take long for coach Steve Smith to turn the Ankeny girls' tennis program around. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes clinched the CIML Iowa Conference title on Tuesday with a 9-2 victory at Ames. They finished 6-0 in the league and improved to 7-2 overall. "It's crazy how well this season is going," said Smith. "This was supposed to be next year's … [Read more...] about ‘This was supposed to be next year’s goal’: Hawkettes capture league crown
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE: Hawkettes roll past Waukee NW, Marshalltown
The Ankeny girls' tennis team had a busy day on Thursday. Due to some earlier postponements, the ninth-ranked Hawkettes were forced to host two opponents on the same day. Ankeny responded with a pair of impressive victories. The Hawkettes rolled to an 11-0 win over Waukee Northwest, then later posted a 10-1 triumph over Marshalltown. They raised … [Read more...] about DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE: Hawkettes roll past Waukee NW, Marshalltown
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Steve Smith, Ankeny girls’ tennis
A former standout player at Ankeny, Smith has guided the Hawkettes to a 4-2 record and a No. 9 ranking in Class 2A. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Steve Smith, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Ankeny girls rebound from loss to Johnston with win over Roughriders
Bouncing back from a tough loss on Monday, the Ankeny girls' tennis team cruised to a 10-1 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference meet on Tuesday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes improved to 4-2 on the season. Roosevelt's record dropped to 3-2. Ankeny had lost at No. 5 Johnston, 10-1, 24 hours earlier. All 10 of the team's wins came in … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls rebound from loss to Johnston with win over Roughriders
‘Johnston was simply better’: Ankeny girls suffer 10-1 loss to No. 5 Dragons
Another cold and windy day provided a challenge for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. This time, the ninth-ranked Hawkettes didn't adjust well to the tough conditions. Ankeny dropped a 10-1 decision at No. 5 Johnston in a non-conference meet on Monday. The Dragons (4-1) rebounded after suffering their first loss of the season, 7-3, at No. 2 Valley on … [Read more...] about ‘Johnston was simply better’: Ankeny girls suffer 10-1 loss to No. 5 Dragons
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Anna Schmitz, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Senior Anna Schmitz has helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 3-1 record, including a 3-0 mark in the CIML Iowa Conference. She is the Hawkettes' No. 2 singles player. On Thursday, Schmitz won both of her matches as the Hawkettes posted a 10-1 victory over Ankeny Centennial at the Prairie Ridge courts. Her singles win sealed Ankeny's first-ever … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Anna Schmitz, Ankeny girls’ tennis
‘It feels great’: Ankeny girls defeat Jaguars for first time in series history
Back in February, the Ankeny girls' basketball team recorded its first-ever victory over its crosstown rival.n Now, the Ankeny girls' tennis squad has made some history as well. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes defeated Ankeny Centennial, 10-1, in a dual meet on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. They had lost all seven previous matchups against the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels great’: Ankeny girls defeat Jaguars for first time in series history
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 179
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, girls' golf coaches Seth Hagarty of Ankeny and John Petersen of Ankeny Centennial join Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith and Centennial tennis standout Esther Guan as the guests. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 179
No. 1 Dowling girls blank Ankeny, even without defending state singles champ
The Dowling Catholic girls' tennis team might be the state's best squad--even without Allison Szalay. The top-ranked Maroons posted an 11-0 victory in a non-conference meet at No. 9 Ankeny on Tuesday. They played without Szalay, the defending Class 2A champion in singles. Szalay also plays goalkeeper for the Dowling girls' soccer squad and dislocated … [Read more...] about No. 1 Dowling girls blank Ankeny, even without defending state singles champ
Hawkettes cruise past Mason City, will host No. 1 Dowling Catholic on Tuesday
The Ankeny girls' tennis players had more problems with the conditions on Monday than they did with their opponent. Overcoming cold temperatures and winds of 30-40 mph, the ninth-ranked Hawkettes rolled to an 11-0 victory at Mason City in a CIML Iowa Conference matchup. "I was proud we were able to endure some of the worst conditions I’ve experienced … [Read more...] about Hawkettes cruise past Mason City, will host No. 1 Dowling Catholic on Tuesday