There was no letdown for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. After rallying for a dramatic victory on Tuesday over defending Class 5A state champion Waukee Northwest, the second-ranked Jaguars traveled to Iowa City High on Saturday and won the Little Hawk Invitational for the fourth consecutive year. Centennial swept all four of its opponents in … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great weekend’: Jaguars win Little Hawk Invite title for 4th consecutive year
Volleyball
‘I think I’m still in disbelief’: Jaguars rally for improbable win over reigning champs
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After initially leading two sets to none, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball players found themselves with their backs against the wall. The third-ranked Jaguars were just one set away from sweeping No. 9 Waukee Northwest in their home opener on Tuesday. But in a twist of fate, Centennial was a mere one point away from … [Read more...] about ‘I think I’m still in disbelief’: Jaguars rally for improbable win over reigning champs
‘We just stepped it up’: Jaguars rally from two-set deficit to stun No. 6 Indianola
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was on the verge of being swept in its season opener on Monday at Indianola. After taking the first two sets, the sixth-ranked Indians built a 24-22 lead in Set 3 and only needed to win one of the next two points to close out the non-conference match. But No. 3 Centennial refused to quit. The Jaguars scored five … [Read more...] about ‘We just stepped it up’: Jaguars rally from two-set deficit to stun No. 6 Indianola
‘This team has a lot of weapons’: Miller, Pratt to lead the way for No. 3 Jaguars
After reaching the Class 5A semifinals in each of the previous two seasons, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team is setting its sights even higher in 2024. But Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said it's too early to even think about this year's state tournament. "We've broken our season into six different milestones--with a focus for each one," said … [Read more...] about ‘This team has a lot of weapons’: Miller, Pratt to lead the way for No. 3 Jaguars
‘I had a gut feeling’: Ankeny’s Scheib commits to play volleyball at Bellevue
Ankeny volleyball standout Kamryn Scheib has verbally committed to play for Bellevue University, an NAIA school located in Bellevue, Neb. Scheib, an outside hitter, said she picked the Bruins over UW-Platteville and UW-Stevens Point. "Those were my top three options," said Scheib. "But I really loved how the (Bellevue) coach and players treated me, and … [Read more...] about ‘I had a gut feeling’: Ankeny’s Scheib commits to play volleyball at Bellevue
‘Wayne State felt like a family’: Jaguars’ Miller to play volleyball for Wildcats
Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Delaney Miller has verbally committed to play for Wayne State College. Miller said she looked at several different schools in a variety of conferences and different divisions. "The recruiting process is long and complicated, and it was really tough trying to narrow down schools and try to find what was best for … [Read more...] about ‘Wayne State felt like a family’: Jaguars’ Miller to play volleyball for Wildcats
Centennial’s Kronenberg commits to play for University of Alaska Fairbanks
Ankeny Centennial senior Ava Kronenberg has committed to play volleyball at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, an NCAA Division II progam. The Nanooks are members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Kronenberg helped the Jaguars to a 31-7 record and a second consecutive appearance in the Class 5A semifinals last fall. She recorded 71 kills and 64 … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Kronenberg commits to play for University of Alaska Fairbanks
Centennial standouts Miller, Pratt earn spots on Class 5A all-tournament team
Ankeny Centennial juniors Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt have been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Coralville. Pratt earned a spot on the squad for the second straight year. The duo led Centennial to a second consecutive appearance in the Class 5A semifinals. The Jaguars finished the season with a 31-7 … [Read more...] about Centennial standouts Miller, Pratt earn spots on Class 5A all-tournament team
‘It was a good battle’: Wolves rally past Centennial in Class 5A semifinal slugfest
The third time proved to be a charm for the Waukee Northwest volleyball team. After losing twice to second-ranked Ankeny Centennial earlier this season, the No. 3 Wolves earned some revenge with a dramatic five-set victory in the Class 5A semifinals on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Northwest (26-9) advanced to the championship match for the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good battle’: Wolves rally past Centennial in Class 5A semifinal slugfest
An all-CIML final?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
The top four seeds in the Class 5A state volleyball tournament all advanced to Wednesday's semifinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Will the rankings continue to hold up true to form? Here are Ankeny Fanatic's predictions for the Final Four: No. 1 Dowling Catholic (31-7) vs. No. 4 Pleasant Valley (28-5): These two teams won their quarterfinal … [Read more...] about An all-CIML final?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals
Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors
Ankeny Centennial seniors Gabby Mixdorf, Addie Pollock and Anna Sash have been named to the academic all-state volleyball team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. They are the first players from Ankeny or Centennial to be selected to the squad since 2019. An athlete must be a senior and meet two of the following three criteria to earn academic … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Mixdorf, Pollock, Sash earn academic all-state volleyball honors
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 238
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the thrilling five-set Jag-Hawk matchup at the state volleyball tournament with head coach Jessica Rinehart and junior outside hitter Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial. Dowling Catholic assistant football coach Andy Pollock … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 238
‘We knew what we had to do’: Jaguars sweep C.B. Lincoln, advance to state
With a trip to the state tournament on the line, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't feel any pressure. The Jaguars simply knew what they had to do. Second-ranked Centennial rolled to a 25-17, 25-10, 25-15 victory over No. 15 Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 5A regional final on Tuesday at Centennial. The Jaguars (30-6) advanced to the … [Read more...] about ‘We knew what we had to do’: Jaguars sweep C.B. Lincoln, advance to state
‘The energy is just crazy all around’: Jaguars sweep past Iowa City West
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team has been trying to find some additional offensive weapons to take the pressure off leading hitters Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt. The second-ranked Jaguars may have found some answers. Gabby Mixdorf had six kills and Ava Kronenberg added five more to help second-ranked Centennial to a 25-14, 25-15, 25-7 victory … [Read more...] about ‘The energy is just crazy all around’: Jaguars sweep past Iowa City West
‘We knew it wasn’t going to be easy’: Jags outlast Waukee NW in 5-set thriller
Tuesday's CIML Conference volleyball match between second-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 3 Waukee Northwest contained all the drama of a state tournament matchup. Both teams fought off two match points before the visiting Jaguars scored the last four points to pull out a thrilling 25-23, 25-21, 26-28, 13-25, 16-14 victory. "It was a great win," said … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it wasn’t going to be easy’: Jags outlast Waukee NW in 5-set thriller
Jaguars fall to No. 1 Dowling Catholic in semifinals at Westside Invitational
Jaeden Pratt and her Ankeny Centennial volleyball teammates would like nothing more than another opportunity to play CIML Conference rival Dowling Catholic. If it happens, it would be in the Class 5A state tournament--perhaps in the championship match. The second-ranked Jaguars advanced to the semifinals of the Westside Invitational on Saturday at … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to No. 1 Dowling Catholic in semifinals at Westside Invitational
Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk, improve their record to 6-1 in CIML Conference
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team pounded 38 kills and hit .216 on the night en route to a 25-20, 25-9, 25-21 victory at Southeast Polk on Thursday. The second-ranked Jaguars raised their records to 6-1 in the CIML Conference and 23-5 overall. Southeast Polk dropped to 1-6 and 12-17. Jaeden Pratt had 15 kills and hit .414 to lead Centennial. … [Read more...] about Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk, improve their record to 6-1 in CIML Conference
Jaguars reach title match of Urbandale Invitational before falling to Johnston
Saturday's Urbandale Invitational provided perhaps the biggest test of the season for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. After winning their first two matches during pool play, the second-ranked Jaguars met four consecutive top-10 opponents. They advanced to the championship match of the tournament before dropping a 25-22, 18-25, 15-12 decision to No. … [Read more...] about Jaguars reach title match of Urbandale Invitational before falling to Johnston
‘We just needed to settle in’: Jaguars shake off rust in 4-set victory at Johnston
It took a little while for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to recover from a two-week layoff. After dropping the first set, the second-ranked Jaguars rallied for a 26-28, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 victory at No. 7 Johnston on Tuesday. The win allowed Centennial to move into sole possession of third place in the CIML Conference. "I think we just needed … [Read more...] about ‘We just needed to settle in’: Jaguars shake off rust in 4-set victory at Johnston
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 232
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the first half of the volleyball season with Ankeny Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart and one of her top players, senior middle hitter Anna Sash. Ankeny Fanatic photographer Drue Wolfe also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 232