On one of the first few points of a Class 2A semifinal match between Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson and Dowling Catholic's Allison Szalay, the two players traded groundstrokes back and forth for more than a minute before Peterson finally won the point. But the talented freshman decided that she didn't want to play the entire girls' tennis match in … [Read more...] about Peterson places 4th in singles, while Guan sisters finish 6th in doubles
Girls' Tennis
Peterson advances to Class 2A semifinals, while Guans earn top-8 finish
Ankeny Centennial's Abbie Peterson is just two wins away from winning a state tennis title as a freshman. Peterson advanced to the semifinals of the girls' Class 2A singles tournament with a pair of victories on Wednesday at Iowa City. She will play second-seeded Allison Szalay of Dowling Catholic on Thursday morning. "There was no clear cut No. 1 seed … [Read more...] about Peterson advances to Class 2A semifinals, while Guans earn top-8 finish
Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Abbie Peterson, Ankeny Centennial freshman
The standout tennis player will compete in the girls' state tournament next week along with three of her teammates. … [Read more...] about Central Bank Athlete of the Month: Abbie Peterson, Ankeny Centennial freshman
‘The matches didn’t fall our way’: Jaguars drop 5-3 decision to Valley
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis squad was looking to advance to the final four of the Class 2A state team tournament for the first time ever. The Jaguars will have to wait at least another year to accomplish that goal. Visiting Valley broke a 3-3 tie by winning a pair of doubles matches and defeated Centennial, 5-3, in the Class 2A quarterfinals on … [Read more...] about ‘The matches didn’t fall our way’: Jaguars drop 5-3 decision to Valley
Jaguars advance to state, will host quarterfinal against Valley on Monday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team cruised into the state tournament with a pair of shutout victories on Saturday at Ames. The Jaguars posted a 5-0 win over Des Moines Roosevelt in the semifinals of a Class 2A regional team tournament. They then followed with a 5-0 triumph over Ames in the final. Centennial (9-2) will host Valley in the … [Read more...] about Jaguars advance to state, will host quarterfinal against Valley on Monday
Centennial girls advance 4 players to state for only 2nd time in school history
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dominated a Class 2A regional singles and doubles tournament on Thursday at Fort Dodge. The Jaguars advanced four players to the state tournament for only the second time in school history. In 2017, Centennial swept the doubles competition, qualifying both of its teams for state. On Thursday, the Jaguars swept … [Read more...] about Centennial girls advance 4 players to state for only 2nd time in school history
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Benkufsky, Centennial girls’ tennis
Freshman Jenna Benkufsky has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team to a 7-2 record. She often plays No. 5 doubles with senior Ellie Froehlich. The Jaguars captured the CIML Iowa Conference title on Monday with an 11-0 victory at Fort Dodge. "Jenna has helped strengthen our doubles lineup," said Centennial coach Armando Espinosa. … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Jenna Benkufsky, Centennial girls’ tennis
‘Our biggest goals are still ahead of us’: Jaguars win league title, but want more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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