Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Girls' Tennis

Ankeny girls romp past East/Hoover in Smith’s coaching debut

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

Hawkettes drop 8-3 decision at Marshalltown in hard-fought battle

by

The final score didn't tell the whole story of the Ankeny girls' tennis team's 8-3 loss at Marshalltown on Tuesday. The Bobcats raised their record to 6-2, but the win didn't come easily. All five of the doubles matches went to a decisive third set, with Ankeny winning two of them. "It was an awesome night," said Ankeny coach Katie Owens, whose team … [Read more...] about Hawkettes drop 8-3 decision at Marshalltown in hard-fought battle

Hawkettes win some ‘awesome matches’ en route to 6-5 victory over Roosevelt

by

The Ankeny girls' tennis team won three of the five doubles matches to edge visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, 6-5, in a non-conference meet on Tuesday. The win improved the Hawkettes' overall record to 2-3. Roosevelt dropped to 3-2. "There were some awesome matches," said Ankeny coach Katie Owens. "We really battled the Roughriders." Ankeny got singles … [Read more...] about Hawkettes win some ‘awesome matches’ en route to 6-5 victory over Roosevelt

Hawkettes lose Abby Johnson to injury, then fall to potent Urbandale squad

by

Monday wasn't the best time for the Ankeny girls' tennis team to face one of the state's top squads. The Hawkettes played host to Urbandale without their No. 2 singles player, sophomore Abby Johnson. Johnson injured her knee while playing basketball over the weekend. The J-Hawks went on to post an 11-0 victory in the CIML Central Conference dual meet. … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose Abby Johnson to injury, then fall to potent Urbandale squad

Ankeny girls’ team shows improvement despite 11-0 loss at Valley

by

Ankeny girls' tennis coach Katie Owens always tries to look on the bright side, even after a tough loss. That was the case again on Tuesday, when the Hawkettes dropped an 11-0 decision at Valley. "I love watching the girls improve at every match," said Owens, whose team fell to 1-2 on the season. "It was a beautiful night for tennis." Here are the … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ team shows improvement despite 11-0 loss at Valley

Hawkettes drop 11-0 decision to Dowling in Central Conference opener

by

A fairly strong wind created some havoc on Thursday for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes' opponent created even more problems. Visiting Dowling Catholic won all 11 matches in straight sets and rolled to an 11-0 victory at the Prairie Ridge courts. It was the CIML Central Conference opener for Ankeny, which dropped to 1-1 overall. "The … [Read more...] about Hawkettes drop 11-0 decision to Dowling in Central Conference opener

‘Awesome singles wins’ help Hawkettes to 6-3 triumph over Ottumwa

by

The Ankeny girls' tennis team ran out of daylight on Tuesday night. Fortunately for the Hawkettes, they had already wrapped up a season-opening victory. Ankeny posted a 6-3 win over visiting Ottumwa at the Prairie Ridge courts. The No. 1 and 2 doubles matches had yet to be completed when the meet was called off at 8:10 p.m. "We just couldn't finish … [Read more...] about ‘Awesome singles wins’ help Hawkettes to 6-3 triumph over Ottumwa

Growing Hawkettes’ tennis program now boasts roster of 100 players

by

The Ankeny girls' tennis team has suffered through some growing pains since the split into two high schools. Now, the Hawkettes' program is just growing. There are 100 players out for the team this spring, according to head coach Katie Owens. "We have a lot of kids out, but it's a young team," Owens said. "It'll be exciting to see where the girls … [Read more...] about Growing Hawkettes’ tennis program now boasts roster of 100 players

Olsons coach Boone to 5-0 victory over Hawkettes

by

For many years, Tim Olson served as an assistant coach for the Ankeny boys' basketball team. His son, Lute, was a tennis standout for the Hawks. On Saturday, the Olsons teamed up to help bring the season to an end for the Ankeny girls' tennis squad. The father-son duo is now coaching at Boone, which handed the Hawkettes a 5-0 loss in the semifinals of … [Read more...] about Olsons coach Boone to 5-0 victory over Hawkettes

Ankeny’s Legg places 4th at regional tournament

by

The Ankeny girls' tennis team got a fourth-place finish from Alexis Legg in a Class 2A regional singles and doubles tournament on Wednesday at Valley. The fourth-seeded Legg received a first-round bye before posting a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Valley's Sam Auer in the quarterfinals. She then dropped a 6-0, 6-0 decision in the semifinals to Davi Patterson of … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Legg places 4th at regional tournament