Persistence finally paid off on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars traveled to Fort Dodge for a non-conference meet and posted a 9-2 victory for their first win of the season. They improved to 1-8 overall, while the Dodgers' record fell to 5-4. "The victory was truly a collective effort from the whole team, with every … [Read more...] about ‘The victory was truly a collective effort’: Jaguars top Fort Dodge for their first win
Girls' Tennis
TENNIS ROUNDUP: Centennial girls, Ankeny boys fall to CIML foes at home
The Ankeny boys' and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams both suffered conference losses on their home courts Thursday. The Jaguars dropped a 10-1 decision to Waukee. It was their Senior Night. "We had the chance to celebrate our seniors and recognize all the incredible contributions they’ve made to our program," said Centennial coach Alli … [Read more...] about TENNIS ROUNDUP: Centennial girls, Ankeny boys fall to CIML foes at home
‘We continue to grow’: Depleted Jags gain experience in losses to Valley, Cedar Falls
The depleted Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team traveled to the Byrnes Park Tennis Center in Waterloo on Monday and lost to a pair of tough opponents at the Cedar Falls Quadrangular. The Jaguars dropped an 11-0 decision to Valley in a CIML Conference meet, then fell to the host Tigers, 9-0, in a non-conference matchup. They are now 0-4 in the league and … [Read more...] about ‘We continue to grow’: Depleted Jags gain experience in losses to Valley, Cedar Falls
Centennial girls’ team falls to North Polk, will travel to Urbandale on Thursday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dropped an 8-3 decision to visiting North Polk in a non-conference meet on Wednesday. The Comets improved their record to 4-5 on the season. Centennial fell to 0-3. The Jaguars got wins from Ella Sutherland at the No. 4 singles position and Natalie Carr at the No. 6 spot. Carr and Makenzie Piper then won the No. … [Read more...] about Centennial girls’ team falls to North Polk, will travel to Urbandale on Thursday
Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener
Tuesday's season opener provided a huge test for the inexperienced Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. With only three returning varsity regulars, the Jaguars traveled to Waukee Northwest to face one of the state's top squads. The Wolves dominated the CIML Conference matchup, rolling to an 11-0 victory. Northwest won four of the singles matches … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener
Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August
Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson will be spending a lot of time with her players over the next several months. Tryouts for the spring season begin on Monday for the Jaguars, who will then transition to a fall season in August under schedule changes from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union for 2025-26. "So far, our numbers for … [Read more...] about Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August
‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience
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
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