Ankeny Fanatic

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Girls' Tennis

‘Our biggest goals are still ahead of us’: Jaguars win league title, but want more

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team has some bigger goals in mind. The fourth-ranked Jaguars captured the CIML Iowa Conference title with an 11-0 victory at Fort Dodge on Monday, but senior Jordyn Gustafson said the team is already looking ahead to the postseason. "We went into the season knowing we had a lot of potential with a strong team," … [Read more...] about ‘Our biggest goals are still ahead of us’: Jaguars win league title, but want more

Jaguars place 3rd at tournament that features 5 of state’s top 6 teams

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team placed third in the Valley Invitational on Friday. The tournament featured five of the state's top six teams in Class 2A--No. 2 Dowling Catholic, No. 3 Cedar Falls, No. 4 Centennial, No. 5 Valley and No. 6 Waukee. Johnston also participated. Cedar Falls got individual titles from Mira Keeran and Maya Mallavarapu … [Read more...] about Jaguars place 3rd at tournament that features 5 of state’s top 6 teams

No. 4 Centennial girls ‘stay focused’ during 11-0 rout over Mohawks

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The fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team just keeps rolling along. The Jaguars romped to an 11-0 victory at Mason City on Tuesday without dropping a set. They lost only 17 games in the entire match. "We played pretty well, considering the length of the trip," said Centennial coach Armando Espinosa. "We stayed focused, and hopefully we … [Read more...] about No. 4 Centennial girls ‘stay focused’ during 11-0 rout over Mohawks

Jaguars adjust to conditions, romp to shutout over Ames in top-10 matchup

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It was another dominating performance by the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The fourth-ranked Jaguars defeated No. 7 Ames, 11-0, on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. They improved to 3-0 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 5-1 overall, while the Little Cyclones' records dropped to 2-1 and 5-3. "I was very pleased how we competed and how we … [Read more...] about Jaguars adjust to conditions, romp to shutout over Ames in top-10 matchup

Centennial girls extend winning streak with 9-2 victory over Waukee

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team extended its winning streak to four matches with a 9-2 victory over visiting Waukee in a non-conference meet on Tuesday. The fourth-ranked Jaguars won five of the six singles matches and four of the five doubles matches. They improved to 4-1 on the season, while No. 6 Waukee's record dropped to 2-3. "That was a … [Read more...] about Centennial girls extend winning streak with 9-2 victory over Waukee

Jaguars tune up for showdown against Ankeny with 10-1 win at Roosevelt

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team was missing one of its top players on Tuesday. The Jaguars did just fine without her. Centennial rolled to a 10-1 victory at Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference meet. "Claudia Guan was ill so we had to experiment with some new (doubles) teams, and the girls responded well," said Centennial coach Armando … [Read more...] about Jaguars tune up for showdown against Ankeny with 10-1 win at Roosevelt

Centennial girls lose just 15 games while blanking Bobcats, 11-0

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team earned its first dual-meet victory in convincing fashion on Thursday. The fifth-ranked Jaguars routed visiting Marshalltown, 11-0, in their CIML Iowa Conference opener. They evened their overall record at 1-1. Centennial won all 11 matches in straight sets, five of them by scores of 6-0, 6-0. The Jaguars lost … [Read more...] about Centennial girls lose just 15 games while blanking Bobcats, 11-0

Jaguars earn runner-up finish at Johnston Invite behind Petersen, Gustafson

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team took second place in the Johnston Invitational on Friday. The tournament featured three of the top six teams in Class 2A. Top-ranked Dowling Catholic won the team title. The No. 6 Jaguars edged No. 4 Valley for the runner-up spot after losing to the Tigers, 6-5, in their season opener on Tuesday. Abbie Petersen … [Read more...] about Jaguars earn runner-up finish at Johnston Invite behind Petersen, Gustafson

No. 6 Centennial girls open their season with 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley

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Even in a loss, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team showed a glimpse of its potential on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Jaguars opened their season with a 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley. It was the team's first meet under new head coach Armando Espinosa. "It was a great match," Espinosa said. "We fought very hard." Centennial won four of the six singles … [Read more...] about No. 6 Centennial girls open their season with 6-5 loss at No. 4 Valley

Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates

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Kathryn Vortherms considers her teammates on the Ankeny Centennial girls' track squad part of her family. She was hoping to find a similar environment on the collegiate level, and she found it in Iowa City. Vortherms has committed to join the Iowa women's track and field program next year. She will be reunited with former Centennial teammates Emma … [Read more...] about Vortherms commits to Hawkeyes, will reunite with former Jaguar teammates

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Grace Nemmers, Centennial girls’ tennis

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Senior Grace Nemmers was one of the top returning players on the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team, which had its season cancelled last month due to the coronavirus. Nemmers helped the Jaguars to an 8-5 record in 2019. She posted a 6-6 mark at the No. 5 singles position and went 5-4 in doubles. Here is some inside info on Nemmers: You've had a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Grace Nemmers, Centennial girls’ tennis

First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season

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Perhaps nobody was more excited to coach his team this spring than Ankeny boys' soccer coach Marcus Varnum. Unless it was Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Armando Espinosa. Both Espinosa and Varnum were first-year head coaches who had their debut seasons wiped out by the coronavirus. Espinosa, the head tennis professional at Ames Fitness Center, … [Read more...] about First-year coaches Varnum, Espinosa deal with devastation of lost season

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Tayler Bloom, Centennial girls’ tennis

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Senior Tayler Bloom helped the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to an 8-5 record this season. Bloom was one of the co-captains for the Jaguars. She qualified for last week's Class 2A state doubles tournament along with teammate Jordyn Gustafson. Here is some inside info on Bloom: Congratulations on an outstanding season. How did you feel about … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Tayler Bloom, Centennial girls’ tennis

Gustafson closes out her career in style with 5th-place finish at state

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The trip home from Bettendorf was a pleasant one for Ankeny Centennial senior Alli Gustafson. Gustafson closed out her high school tennis career with a fifth-place finish in the girls' Class 2A state singles tournament. She went 4-1 in the two-day event, capped off by a pair of straight-set victories on Thursday. "I am super happy to have placed fifth … [Read more...] about Gustafson closes out her career in style with 5th-place finish at state

Gustafson shows patience, assures herself of top-8 finish in Class 2A tourney

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After a long day of tennis, Ankeny Centennial's Alli Gustafson needed to show some patience in order to place among the top eight finishers in the girls' Class 2A state singles tournament at Bettendorf. Gustafson's opponent in a second-round consolation match, Ramya Subramaniam of Pleasant Valley, preferred to play longer points, keeping the ball in play … [Read more...] about Gustafson shows patience, assures herself of top-8 finish in Class 2A tourney

Jaguars fall to Johnston in regional final; S.E. Polk ousts Hawkettes

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Both the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis squads were eliminated from regional team competition on Monday. The Jaguars posted a 5-2 victory over Waukee in a Class 2A regional semifinal at Johnston before falling to the host Dragons, 5-1, in the final. They finished the season with an 8-5 record. "We played competitive matches," said … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall to Johnston in regional final; S.E. Polk ousts Hawkettes

Gustafson sisters, Bloom earn trips to state tennis tournament

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Ankeny Centennial's Alli Gustafson made the difficult decision to not play doubles with her sister, Jordyn, during a girls' Class 2A regional tennis tournament on Wednesday at Johnston. It turned out to be a good move for both of them. While Alli qualified for the state tournament for the second straight year by placing second in singles, Jordyn teamed … [Read more...] about Gustafson sisters, Bloom earn trips to state tennis tournament

Jaguars drop 7-4 decision at Urbandale in regular-season finale

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 7-4 loss at Urbandale in a CIML Central Conference dual meet. The Jaguars won a pair of matches in singles and two more in doubles, but it wasn't enough. They finished 1-4 in the conference and dropped to 7-4 overall, while Urbandale improved its records to 2-3 and … [Read more...] about Jaguars drop 7-4 decision at Urbandale in regular-season finale

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Meredith King, Centennial girls’ tennis

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Meredith King is a member of the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. Centennial coach Ryan Petersen called King a valuable player for the Jaguars. ​"Meredith always is a hard worker and always has a positive attitude," he said. "She is a good senior leader in her practice group and is always up for hitting with anyone. She's had a great season and … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Meredith King, Centennial girls’ tennis