Talia Baca's third-place match in a girls' Class 2A regional tennis tournament earlier this month turned out to be for more than just pride. Baca's three-set victory over Emily Allen of Indianola allowed her to get into the state singles tournament on Friday when the district champion, Lexi Moen of Valley, had to withdraw due to sickness. "We found out … [Read more...] about ‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience
Girls' Tennis
Jaguars beat Norwalk girls, then tumble to No. 3 Waukee NW in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis squad advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday before dropping a 5-0 decision to third-ranked Waukee Northwest, which hosted the meet. The Jaguars, who posted a 5-1 win over Norwalk in the semifinal round, ended the season with a 7-4 record. The Warriors finished 6-6. "Although today … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Norwalk girls, then tumble to No. 3 Waukee NW in regional final
Jaguars fall short in semifinals as Valley girls dominate regional tournament
A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team qualified all six of its players for the Class 2A state tournament. On Monday at Valley, the host Tigers accomplished the same feat and thus prevented Centennial from advancing any of its players to this year's tournament. Valley dominated the regional singles and doubles tournament, sweeping the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall short in semifinals as Valley girls dominate regional tournament
‘It was a great day of tennis’: Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk on their Senior Night
It was a banner Senior Night for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference meet on Wednesday. They won all 11 matches in straight sets to keep the Rams winless. "It was a great day of tennis with everyone in the lineup getting a win!" said Centennial coach Alli … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great day of tennis’: Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk on their Senior Night
‘We couldn’t close when we needed to’: No. 6 Jaguars fall to No. 5 Johnston, 7-4
The latest Class 2A girls' tennis rankings would suggest that there isn't much of a gap between the fifth-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial teams. Tuesday's dual meet between the two squads confirmed that assumption. The Dragons won four of the seven matches that were decided by a third-set supertiebreaker and outlasted host Centennial, 7-4, … [Read more...] about ‘We couldn’t close when we needed to’: No. 6 Jaguars fall to No. 5 Johnston, 7-4
Jaguars post 7-2 win over Cedar Falls, then suffer 6-3 loss to C.R. Washington
The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team hosted a quadrangular meet on Monday and came away with a split at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars posted a 7-2 win over Cedar Falls before dropping a 6-3 decision to Cedar Rapids Washington, last year's Class 2A state champion. No. 3 Valley also participated in the meet, recording victories over … [Read more...] about Jaguars post 7-2 win over Cedar Falls, then suffer 6-3 loss to C.R. Washington
Centennial girls improve record to 3-1 with 11-0 victory over North Polk
The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting North Polk in a non-conference meet on Monday. The Jaguars won 10 of the 11 matches in straight sets. The only match that went to a third-set supertiebreaker came at No. 5 doubles, where Centennial's Kalyani Bhat and Anna Brosnahan rallied from a one-set deficit … [Read more...] about Centennial girls improve record to 3-1 with 11-0 victory over North Polk
Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Tim Olson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis
The longtime coach of multiple sports came out of retirement to become an assistant under Alli Gustafson, who is one of the state's youngest coaches. … [Read more...] about Doubleday Insurance Coach of the Month: Tim Olson, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ara Lofgren, Centennial girls’ tennis
Senior Ara Lofgren has helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to a 2-1 record. The Jaguars own victories over Urbandale and Valley. Lofgren posted an 8-2 mark at No. 5 singles as a junior. She teamed up with Jenna Benkufsky to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament in doubles. Here is some inside info on Lofgren: How is the season going … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Ara Lofgren, Centennial girls’ tennis
‘I was proud of our entire lineup’: Jaguars win rematch against Valley girls
In a matchup of two squads that reached the semifinals of the Class 2A state team tournament last season, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team edged visiting Valley, 6-5, in a CIML Conference meet on Friday. The Jaguars won four of the five doubles matches to improve to 2-1 in the conference and overall. Valley's records dropped to 1-2 and 2-3. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I was proud of our entire lineup’: Jaguars win rematch against Valley girls
Mixdorf provides only win as Jaguars drop 10-1 decision at Dowling Catholic
Without its No. 1 player, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dropped a 10-1 decision at Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. The Jaguars were unable to overcome the absence of Abbie Peterson, who was out with an injury. "We had to shuffle everyone up a spot," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Dowling is a very talented and deep team, and we fell … [Read more...] about Mixdorf provides only win as Jaguars drop 10-1 decision at Dowling Catholic
Abbie Peterson returns to court, helps Jags past Urbandale in season opener
Abbie Peterson's high school tennis career isn't over after all. The two-time state placewinner had planned to skip her senior season at Ankeny Centennial in order to focus on preparing for her collegiate career at Northern Iowa. But Peterson had a change of heart and rejoined the Jaguars' squad earlier this week. On Thursday, Peterson won both of her … [Read more...] about Abbie Peterson returns to court, helps Jags past Urbandale in season opener
Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023
A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team enjoyed an historic season. Now, the Jaguars are looking to build on that success. "I have several goals for this season," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "First, I would love for every player to see improvement on an individual level. I also hope to help my players continue to develop … [Read more...] about Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023
‘I knew that Cornell was the perfect fit’: Benkufsky to play tennis for Rams
Ankeny Centennial senior Jenna Benkufsky has committed to play tennis at Cornell College in Mount Vernon. It took Benkufsky a little while to find the right school for her. "I looked at a number schools within Iowa and one was no better than the other, but when I visited Cornell, I just knew that it was the school for me to continue not only my … [Read more...] about ‘I knew that Cornell was the perfect fit’: Benkufsky to play tennis for Rams
‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa
Ankeny Centennial senior Abbie Peterson will continue her tennis career at Northern Iowa. Peterson, a two-time state placewinner, said for awhile she had not planned on taking her game to the next level. "To be honest, I had not been playing tournaments or looking into playing in college until very recently," she said. "I was planning on getting into … [Read more...] about ‘It was just a perfect fit for me!’: Peterson to play tennis for Northern Iowa
Centennial’s Gustafson named Class 2A girls’ tennis coach of the year
After her team enjoyed the best season in school history, Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson has been named the Class 2A coach of the year. Gustafson guided the Jaguars to a 12-3 record, capped off by a fourth-place finish in the Class 2A state team tournament. Six of her players also qualified for the individual state tournament, … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Gustafson named Class 2A girls’ tennis coach of the year
‘It feels amazing’: Peterson siblings capture Class 2A state coed tennis title
It was only a matter of time before Ankeny Centennial's Abbie and Caleb Peterson won a state tennis title. On Tuesday, the Peterson siblings did it together. The duo posted a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Andrea Porubcin and Robert Matera of Bettendorf to win the Class 2A state coed championship. The tournament began in Marshalltown but was later moved indoors … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing’: Peterson siblings capture Class 2A state coed tennis title
Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team ran into some bad luck on Tuesday before the start of the Class 2A state team tournament semifinals at Johnston. The Jaguars lost their No. 1 player, Abbie Peterson, to an ankle injury. "I just woke up (Monday) and went to practice and then after that it started really hurting," said Peterson, who placed second … [Read more...] about Without injured star, Centennial girls earn fourth-place finish in Class 2A tourney
‘She battled so toughly’: Peterson falls to Bettendorf’s Porubcin in 2A title match
Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson finally ran into an opponent that could match her powerful shots stroke for stroke. The second-seeded Peterson dropped a 6-4, 7-6 decision to fourth-seeded Andrea Porubcin of Bettendorf in the championship match of the Class 2A singles division at the girls' state tennis tournament on Saturday. It was the first loss in … [Read more...] about ‘She battled so toughly’: Peterson falls to Bettendorf’s Porubcin in 2A title match
ON TO THE ‘SHIP: Peterson rolls past I.C. West’s Mascardo, will play for 2A crown
Three days after her brother Caleb advanced to the championship match of the boys' Class 2A state tennis tournament, Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson has accomplished the same feat in the girls' Class 2A singles division at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City. The second-seeded Peterson rolled to a 6-3, 6-1 win over Julianna Mascardo … [Read more...] about ON TO THE ‘SHIP: Peterson rolls past I.C. West’s Mascardo, will play for 2A crown