Despite losing six key players from last year's team, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball squad still has plenty of reasons for optimism. The Jaguars boast two of the state's top juniors in Delaney Miller and Jaeden Pratt. They helped lead the team to a 30-10 record and a trip to the Class 5A semifinals a year ago. "The practices have been going well," … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going to be a fun, athletic team’: Jaguars to rely heavily on Pratt, Miller
Volleyball
Centennial sophomore Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
Sophomore middle hitter Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team at the state volleyball tournament in Coralville. Pratt helped the sixth-ranked Jaguars reach the Class 5A semifinals at Xtream Arena. She had 12 kills, seven blocks and two aces in a five-set victory over No. 4 Dowling Catholic in Monday's … [Read more...] about Centennial sophomore Pratt named to Class 5A all-tournament team
‘I’m super proud of the girls’: Jaguars fall short against Hartman, No. 1 I.C. Liberty
A balanced offensive attack wasn't enough for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team against Iowa City Liberty star Cassidy Hartman. Hartman pounded 22 kills and also had 15 digs to lead the top-ranked Lightning to a 25-21, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22 victory over No. 6 Centennial in a Class 5A semifinal on Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "She has a … [Read more...] about ‘I’m super proud of the girls’: Jaguars fall short against Hartman, No. 1 I.C. Liberty
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 202
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews head coach Jessica Rinehart and senior setter Reagan Angus of the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team about the Jaguars' thrilling five-set victory over Dowling Catholic in a Class 5A quarterfinal on Monday and looks ahead to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 202
‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller
There was nothing scary about the volleyball match between Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic that was played on Halloween. The two CIML Conference rivals simply played an all-time classic on the state's biggest stage. Sixth-ranked Centennial outlasted the No. 4 Maroons, 25-22, 23-25, 19-25, 29-27, 15-11, in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state … [Read more...] about ‘We just had to keep fighting’: Jaguars outlast Dowling Catholic in 5-set thriller
‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
One statistic stood out from Tuesday's Class 5A regional volleyball final between sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders finished with more hitting errors (16) than kills (15), resulting in a -.013 hitting percentage. "It was a great night for us," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said after her team swept … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
‘I think we can go all the way’: Confident Jaguars rout S.C. West in regional opener
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't spend a lot of time preparing for their first postseason opponent. The sixth-ranked Jaguars focused most of their attention over the last week on themselves. "We decided to (play) more as a team and try and do things more as a team," said Centennial sophomore Jaeden Pratt. "We knew that Sioux City (West) … [Read more...] about ‘I think we can go all the way’: Confident Jaguars rout S.C. West in regional opener
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Taylor Bechen, Ankeny Centennial senior
‘We just kept fighting’: Winkel, Jaguars hold off Waukee NW on Senior Night
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team let two match points slip away during Tuesday's battle against visiting Waukee Northwest. Delainey Winkel made sure that the Jaguars didn't waste their next opportunity to close out the match. Winkel pounded a kill to break a 24-24 tie in the fourth set, then delivered an ace to give fifth-ranked Centennial a … [Read more...] about ‘We just kept fighting’: Winkel, Jaguars hold off Waukee NW on Senior Night
‘We reached a whole new level’: Jaguars top Mount Vernon, finish 4-1 at tourney
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team is hoping to peak at the end of the season. The fifth-ranked Jaguars took another step toward reaching that goal with a strong performance on Saturday in the Westside Invitational at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Centennial won all three of its matches during pool play, capped off by a 21-13, 21-6 victory over Mount … [Read more...] about ‘We reached a whole new level’: Jaguars top Mount Vernon, finish 4-1 at tourney
Jaguars gear up for showdown at Ankeny after placing 2nd at Urbandale Invite
There's no time to rest for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. Not with a showdown at second-ranked Ankeny coming up on Tuesday. After placing second in the Urbandale Invitational on Saturday, the No. 5 Jaguars are going back into the gym on Sunday to prepare for their crosstown rival. "Overall, we were happy with the results, but we were … [Read more...] about Jaguars gear up for showdown at Ankeny after placing 2nd at Urbandale Invite
‘Let’s get this done!’: Jaguars close out Johnston with 25-7 rout in Set 4
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't want to go to a fifth set on Tuesday. A dominant fourth set made sure that they didn't have to. After letting the third set slip away, the sixth-ranked Jaguars regrouped and rolled to a 25-22, 25-22, 24-26, 25-7 victory over No. 8 Johnston in a CIML Conference match at the Centennial gym. "After the … [Read more...] about ‘Let’s get this done!’: Jaguars close out Johnston with 25-7 rout in Set 4
‘We reached a new level’: Jaguars romp to convincing sweep at Waukee
After being idle for eight days, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team returned to action on Thursday and rolled to a convincing sweep at CIML Conference rival Waukee. The sixth-ranked Jaguars posted a 25-14, 25-16, 25-20 victory to improve to 3-1 in the league and 16-5 overall. No. 11 Waukee's records dropped to 1-3 and 8-16. The Warriors were coming … [Read more...] about ‘We reached a new level’: Jaguars romp to convincing sweep at Waukee
Valley was no cupcake, but Jaguars rally to win after dropping opening set
Delainey Winkel and her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial volleyball squad enjoyed some chocolate cupcakes on Tuesday night. The sixth-ranked Jaguars celebrated Winkel's birthday and a come-from-behind victory after Centennial rallied for a 22-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-19 win at No. 9 Valley in a CIML Conference match. "I think we just settled in and … [Read more...] about Valley was no cupcake, but Jaguars rally to win after dropping opening set
‘I’m excited to play with her’: Bechen to join teammate Winkel at Dubuque
It didn't take long for Taylor Bechen to follow in the footsteps of her Ankeny Centennial volleyball teammate. Bechen has verbally committed to play for Dubuque. She made her decision just a few days after Delainey Winkel committed to the Spartans. "Of course it's a pro (that Winkel is going there, too)," Bechen said on Tuesday after the Jaguars' … [Read more...] about ‘I’m excited to play with her’: Bechen to join teammate Winkel at Dubuque
‘It was an awesome day!’: Rinehart, Angus reach milestones at Metro Classic
Saturday was a day of milestones for the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team. Coach Jessica Rinehart earned her 300th career victory at the school, while senior setter Reagan Angus dished out her 500th career assist as the sixth-ranked Jaguars went 4-1 on the day in the Metro Classic at Southeast Polk. "It was an awesome day!" said Angus. "It was great … [Read more...] about ‘It was an awesome day!’: Rinehart, Angus reach milestones at Metro Classic
Centennial’s Winkel commits to play volleyball at University of Dubuque
Ankeny Centennial outside hitter Delainey Winkel has verbally committed to play volleyball at the University of Dubuque. Winkel said she looked at some schools in Florida and North Carolina before deciding to look at schools in the Midwest. "I thought it was a better fit for me. I realized I wanted to be closer to home," she said. "I looked at several … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Winkel commits to play volleyball at University of Dubuque
‘We figured it would be a battle’: Jaguars tumble to Dowling Catholic in 5 sets
Two weeks ago, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team rolled to a win over Dowling Catholic in its first match of the season at the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. On Tuesday, the sixth-ranked Maroons avenged that loss in a five-set thriller on their home court. Dowling rallied from a 2-1 deficit to post a 22-25, 25-18, 15-25, 25-19, 15-6 victory … [Read more...] about ‘We figured it would be a battle’: Jaguars tumble to Dowling Catholic in 5 sets
Jaguars finish 4-0 at Little Hawk Invite, capture title for 2nd straight year
On a day when the Iowa football team struggled to get its offense going in its season opener at Kinnick Stadium, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball squad had no such problems on Saturday just a few miles away at Iowa City High School. The fifth-ranked Jaguars swept all four of their matches in two sets to win the Little Hawk Invitational title for the … [Read more...] about Jaguars finish 4-0 at Little Hawk Invite, capture title for 2nd straight year
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reagan Angus, Centennial volleyball
Senior setter Reagan Angus has helped the fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team to a 10-3 record. The Jaguars captured the championship of the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City High, winning all four of their matches in the round-robin tournament. Angus has dished out a team-high 178 assists this season. She ranks second among the … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Reagan Angus, Centennial volleyball