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
Girls' Tennis
‘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
Centennial girls blank Cedar Falls, advance to final four of 2A team tourney
The magical season continued on Saturday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The third-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 5-0 victory over No. 6 Cedar Falls in the opening round of the Class 2A state team tournament at the Prairie Ridge courts. The match was halted before doubles play even began after Centennial swept the first five singles matches to … [Read more...] about Centennial girls blank Cedar Falls, advance to final four of 2A team tourney
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Yuan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis
Junior Megan Yuan is one of six players on the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament, which will be held on May 26-27 at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City. Yuan and Samara Peterson defeated teammates Jenna Benkufsky and Ara Lofgren, 6-2, 6-3, to win a regional doubles title on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Yuan, Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis
‘Amazing tennis’ allows Jaguars to win Valley Invitational title for first time ever
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team made some history on Friday. The third-ranked Jaguars captured the team title at the Valley Invitational, topping a field that included five of the top nine squads in Class 2A. "This is the first time that it's ever happened," Centennial coach Alli Gustafson said of her team's triumph. "It was a fun … [Read more...] about ‘Amazing tennis’ allows Jaguars to win Valley Invitational title for first time ever
Centennial girls post 4th straight shutout, finish 7-1 in CIML Conference
Even without its top player, the third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team cruised to another easy victory on Thursday. The Jaguars, who played without Abbie Peterson, rolled to an 11-0 win at Waukee Northwest in their CIML Conference finale. They finished 7-1 in the conference and improved to 9-1 overall, while the Wolves' records dropped to 0-8 … [Read more...] about Centennial girls post 4th straight shutout, finish 7-1 in CIML Conference
Centennial girls raise their overall record to 8-1 with back-to-back shutouts
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is rolling toward the postseason. The third-ranked Jaguars posted back-to-back shutouts on Monday and Tuesday, romping to an 11-0 win over visiting Waukee before defeating host Southeast Polk by the same score. They raised their records to 6-1 in the CIML Conference and 8-1 overall. "It’s great to see the girls … [Read more...] about Centennial girls raise their overall record to 8-1 with back-to-back shutouts
‘Today was another great win’: Jaguars top Johnston, improve to 5-1 overall
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team won three come-from-behind matches and defeated host Johnston, 8-3, in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday. The third-ranked Jaguars improved their records to 4-1 in the league and 5-1 overall. No. 10 Johnston dropped to 3-3 in the conference. "Today was another great win for the team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘Today was another great win’: Jaguars top Johnston, improve to 5-1 overall
Jaguars lose just 7 games, romp to 11-0 victory over Burlington Notre Dame
Monday's non-conference meet against visiting Burlington Notre Dame gave Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson an opportunity to adjust her lineup. The third-ranked Jaguars rolled to an impressive 11-0 victory--even though the team's top two players, Abbie Peterson and Esther Guan, did not play doubles. "We finally had some beautiful … [Read more...] about Jaguars lose just 7 games, romp to 11-0 victory over Burlington Notre Dame
‘Everyone helped contribute to this great win!’: Jaguars roll past No. 3 Valley, 8-3
The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team bounced back from Tuesday's loss to No. 1 Dowling Catholic with an 8-3 victory over No. 3 Valley on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars swept all six singles matches in straight sets to seal the win. They defeated Valley for the first time since 2017. "The girls all found victories in … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone helped contribute to this great win!’: Jaguars roll past No. 3 Valley, 8-3
Defending state champion Maroons hold off Centennial girls for 6-4 win
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team nearly knocked off defending state champion Dowling Catholic on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The top-ranked Maroons held off No. 6 Centennial to post a 6-4 victory in the CIML Conference dual meet. The final match at No. 3 doubles was tied at one set apiece but could not be completed due to … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Maroons hold off Centennial girls for 6-4 win
Centennial girls overcome Peterson’s absence to post 6-5 win at Urbandale
Competing without its top player, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team posted a 6-5 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference dual meet on Friday. The Jaguars improved to 2-0 in the conference after routing Waukee, 11-0, in their season opener on Thursday. The J-Hawks dropped to 0-1 in the league and 2-1 overall. "It is great to begin with two … [Read more...] about Centennial girls overcome Peterson’s absence to post 6-5 win at Urbandale
‘Everyone on the team stepped up’: Jaguars romp past Waukee in opener
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team opened its season on Thursday with an 11-0 victory over visiting Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet. The contest was played under sunny skies with temperatures in the 50s. "We had a great start with an 11-0 win," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Everyone on the team stepped up to the plate and got a … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone on the team stepped up’: Jaguars romp past Waukee in opener
Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of an elite player who is already familiar with the Jaguars' program. Junior Abbie Peterson, who led the squad to a 9-3 record as a freshman two years ago, has returned to the team. She sat out last season to spend more time on the club circuit. "We are very excited to have … [Read more...] about Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson
‘I loved the small-town feel’: Centennial’s Price to play tennis at Central College
Ankeny Centennial senior Madison Price has signed a letter of intent to play tennis at Central College in Pella. Price was looking for a smaller college where she could continue her athletic career. "I mainly looked at Loras and Central because I loved the small-town feel of the campus," said Price. "Dubuque is beautiful, but I really like the … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the small-town feel’: Centennial’s Price to play tennis at Central College