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
Girls' Tennis
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
Ankeny girls’ tennis team tumbles to Johnston
The Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped an 11-0 decision at Johnston on Wednesday. The Hawkettes finished 0-5 in the CIML Central Conference and fell to 2-7 overall. Johnston improved its records to 3-2 and 7-2. Here are the match-by-match results: Johnston 11, Ankeny 0 Singles--Naanep beat Weber, 6-0, 6-1; Svitashev beat Penningroth, 6-1, 6-1; … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ tennis team tumbles to Johnston
Hawkettes drop 8-3 decision at Marshalltown in hard-fought battle
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
Ames girls roll to 11-0 victory over Hawkettes
The Ames girls' tennis team showed on Friday why it's a threat to make another run at the Class 2A state team title. The Little Cyclones, who dropped a 5-4 decision to Iowa City West in last year's championship match, remained unbeaten with an 11-0 victory over visiting Ankeny. They improved to 5-0 on the season. The Hawkettes' records dropped to 0-3 … [Read more...] about Ames girls roll to 11-0 victory over Hawkettes
Hawkettes win some ‘awesome matches’ en route to 6-5 victory over Roosevelt
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