The Ankeny girls' tennis team is still trying to get over the hump. The Hawkettes lost several close matches to visiting Ames and dropped a 9-2 decision in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet on Tuesday. "The meet once again came down to us not winning the close matches," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "We lost three match tiebreakers by a combined seven … [Read more...] about Ames girls win several close matches in 9-2 victory over Hawkettes
Girls' Tennis
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sydney Otto, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Sophomore Sydney Otto has helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 4-5 record. Otto played No. 3 doubles at the first meet of the season, then joined the singles lineup as well the following week and has played at the No. 4, 5 and 6 positions for the Hawkettes. "Sydney picked up a racket for the first time in February," said Ankeny coach Steve … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sydney Otto, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Hawkettes keep their momentum going with 9-2 win at Marshalltown
Even without one of its top players, the Ankeny girls' tennis team rolled to a 9-2 victory at Marshalltown on Thursday. The Hawkettes played without senior Abby Johnson. She is the squad's No. 2 singles player and part of the No. 1 doubles team. "Abby was gone for orientation in Aberdeen, (S.D.)," Ankeny coach Steve Smith said of Johnson, who will play … [Read more...] about Hawkettes keep their momentum going with 9-2 win at Marshalltown
‘Everyone was watching’: Hawkettes win final match for 6-5 victory over Roosevelt
The Ankeny girls' tennis team got a much-needed victory on Tuesday. And it came in thrilling fashion. After losing four of their previous five meets, the Hawkettes edged visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, 6-5, in a non-conference matchup. The meet came down to the final match at No. 1 doubles, where the Ankeny duo of Megan Sommerfeld and Abby Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone was watching’: Hawkettes win final match for 6-5 victory over Roosevelt
The gauntlet ends: Hawkettes fall to another one of state’s top teams
It's been a tough two-week stretch for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes dropped to 2-4 on the season with an 11-0 loss to visiting Valley on Monday. All four of their losses have come in the last 14 days via shutout against some of the state's top teams. Ankeny fell to Waukee, Dowling Catholic and Ankeny Centennial before losing to the … [Read more...] about The gauntlet ends: Hawkettes fall to another one of state’s top teams
Centennial tennis teams sweep “Pink Out” event against rival Ankeny
Thursday's Jag-Hawk doubleheader at the Prairie Ridge courts featured a lot of great tennis and four teams battling a common opponent. "It was a fantastic night for our fifth annual 'Pink Out' event," said Ankeny Centennial boys' coach Tami Lewton. "It was so awesome to see four teams about to compete come together to fight one enemy--cancer." All four … [Read more...] about Centennial tennis teams sweep “Pink Out” event against rival Ankeny
Dowling girls show why Ankeny coach has been voting them No. 1 every week
Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith has been voting Dowling Catholic No. 1 in the Class 2A rankings every week. The Maroons showed why on Tuesday. Dowling rolled to an 11-0 victory over the visiting Hawkettes in a non-conference meet. "Dowling’s top four (players) are the best 1-4 in the state," Smith said. "I’ve coached all of them either at … [Read more...] about Dowling girls show why Ankeny coach has been voting them No. 1 every week
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Sommerfeld, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Senior Megan Sommerfeld is the No. 1 player for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. She has helped the Hawkettes to a 2-1 record. Sommerfeld has posted a 2-1 mark in singles. She has also teamed up with Abby Johnson for a 4-2 record at No. 1 doubles. Here is some inside info on Sommerfeld: How is the season going thus far? I feel like the season has … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Sommerfeld, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Hawkettes roll to victory at Fort Dodge with ‘murderer’s row’ coming up next
The Ankeny girls' tennis team may have spent more time on the bus Thursday than it did on the courts. The Hawkettes traveled to Fort Dodge for their CIML Iowa Conference opener, and they came away with a dominant 11-0 victory. They won all 11 matches in straight sets, losing a combined total of just 29 games on the day. "Our depth really was evident in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll to victory at Fort Dodge with ‘murderer’s row’ coming up next
‘I’m proud of how our team competed’: Hawkettes tumble to No. 10 Waukee
The Ankeny girls' tennis team ran into one of the state's top squads on Tuesday. Visiting Waukee, the No. 10 team in Class 2A, posted a 11-0 victory at the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. The Warriors improved to 2-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-1. "I knew we had a tough matchup with Waukee as their top 10 players take lessons year … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of how our team competed’: Hawkettes tumble to No. 10 Waukee
‘I really like this group of young ladies’: Hawkettes show progress at Boone
The Ankeny girls' tennis team earned a third-place finish in the Boone Invitational on Friday. Indianola won the four-team tournament. Ames was second, followed by Ankeny and the host Toreadors. "I really like this group of young ladies," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "We identified some areas where we need improvement, and we’ll work on those this … [Read more...] about ‘I really like this group of young ladies’: Hawkettes show progress at Boone
Ankeny girls romp past East/Hoover in Smith’s coaching debut
Many of the Ankeny girls' tennis players entered Tuesday's season-opening meet without any varsity experience. The Hawkettes ended the non-conference meet at Des Moines East/Hoover with a 10-1 victory--and some much-needed seasoning. "It was great to get these young ladies some experience," said new Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "I was proud of how they … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past East/Hoover in Smith’s coaching debut
Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith
There is no shortage of players on the Ankeny girls' tennis team. New head coach Steve Smith said he currently has about 100 girls on the preseason roster. "But from my understanding from past years, that could end up being anywhere between 50 and 90 girls that participate once practices start," Smith said. "So I guess we'll find out next … [Read more...] about Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith
Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens
The timing was just right for Ankeny girls' tennis coach Katie Owens to step down from her position. It was also the perfect time for Ankeny boys' coach Steve Smith to replace her. Smith has been named the successor to Owens, who coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20. He will now get an opportunity to coach his daughter, Kira, who is currently an eighth … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team
Some of the best girls' tennis teams in Ankeny High School history could have been even better. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Hawkettes reeled off 20 consecutive dual-meet victories under coach Dirk Baker, one of the best players in the school at that time was Karlin Hayes. "Karlin was a top 100 player in the 14s, but she never … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Senior Reilly Johnson helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 6-9 record in 2019. She was the team's No. 4 or 5 player most of the season. Johnson was also a member of the Ankeny volleyball team, helping the Hawkettes to a 37-6 mark last fall. She racked up 127 kills, 34 blocks and 41 digs. Here is some inside info on Johnson: Even though your … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reilly Johnson, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Haley Grubb, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Haley Grubb is a senior on the Ankeny girls' tennis team. She has helped the Hawkettes to a 6-8 record. "Haley is a hard worker and extremely coachable!" said Ankeny coach Katie Owens. "She has improved so much this year. I have enjoyed getting to know and coach her." The Hawkettes will compete in a regional singles and doubles tournament on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Haley Grubb, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Hawkettes open regional play with 5-2 victory over Fort Dodge
The Ankeny girls' tennis team stayed alive in postseason play by defeating visiting Fort Dodge, 5-2, in the opening round of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Saturday. The Hawkettes won four of the six singles matches. They then sealed the victory by winning the No. 3 doubles match. Ankeny improved its record to 6-8 on the season. The Hawkettes … [Read more...] about Hawkettes open regional play with 5-2 victory over Fort Dodge
Ankeny girls improve to 5-8 with wins over Marshalltown, Roosevelt
A long week for the Ankeny girls' tennis team ended on a high note. The Hawkettes hosted a quadrangular meet on Friday and defeated two of their three opponents. After posting 7-4 victories over Marshalltown and Des Moines Roosevelt, Ankeny dropped a 10-1 decision to Urbandale. The Hawkettes avenged an earlier 8-3 loss at Marshalltown on April 23. They … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls improve to 5-8 with wins over Marshalltown, Roosevelt
Hawkettes end losing skid with 11-0 victory over winless Hoover
The Ankeny girls' tennis team entered Thursday's dual meet against visiting Des Moines Hoover on a four-match losing streak. The Hawkettes' opponent was struggling even more. Hoover entered the contest at 0-7 and had won only three individual matches all season. The Huskies' struggles continued with an 11-0 loss. Ankeny won 10 of the 11 matches in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes end losing skid with 11-0 victory over winless Hoover