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Bluejays continue Big East dominance, will host USD in NCAA opener

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Jaali Winters was a dominant volleyball player in high school at Ankeny Centennial. She's been just as dominant for Creighton as a collegiate player in the Big East Conference. Winters was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after leading the ninth-ranked Bluejays to their fifth consecutive Big East championship title on Saturday in Omaha. … [Read more...] about Bluejays continue Big East dominance, will host USD in NCAA opener

Harp sets William Jewell single-game scoring record with 36 points

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Byron Harp etched his name in the William Jewell College record book on Tuesday night. The former Ankeny Centennial standout scored a career-high 36 points, the most by a Cardinal in a single game in the NCAA era, to lead William Jewell to a 91-81 victory over Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Mo. "I would definitely say it was one of my better games," … [Read more...] about Harp sets William Jewell single-game scoring record with 36 points

Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer to return to Truman State next year

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Last spring, Connor Kasperbauer left Truman State to continue his basketball career at Kirkwood Community Coilege. Now, several months later, Kasperbauer has decided to return to Truman State. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard signed a national letter of intent on Wednesday to rejoin the Bulldogs' program for the 2019-20 season. He will be reunited with … [Read more...] about Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer to return to Truman State next year

‘All the hard work is finally paying off’ for Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer

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It didn't take long for Connor Kasperbauer to find his shooting rhythm after sitting out last season. The former Ankeny Centennial star poured in 30 points to lead the Kirkwood Community College men's basketball team to a 96-64 victory over Morton College on Saturday at Cicero, Ill. He made 9-of-14 shots, including 8-of-12 from 3-point range. "I just … [Read more...] about ‘All the hard work is finally paying off’ for Kirkwood’s Kasperbauer

Riordan’s 30-footer forces OT, but Simpson drops season opener

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Conor Riordan is still making big buckets. The former Ankeny star hit a 30-foot jumper at the end of regulation to force overtime in Simpson's season opener against Bethany Lutheran on Saturday at Indianola. His heroics weren't enough, though, as the Vikings eventually prevailed, 103-100. Riordan, a junior guard, poured in a game-high 35 points. He … [Read more...] about Riordan’s 30-footer forces OT, but Simpson drops season opener

Knights fall to UW-La Crosse, finish season at 13-6-1

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Emily Fontana has no regrets about her decision to transfer to Wartburg College. The former Ankeny Centennial soccer standout played the final game of her sophomore season on Saturday, when the Knights dropped a 2-0 decision at 23rd-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The midfielder transferred … [Read more...] about Knights fall to UW-La Crosse, finish season at 13-6-1

Gray’s goal seals Gophers’ 2-0 victory at Auburn in NCAA opener

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Megan Gray's freshman season just keeps getting better and better. The former Ankeny Centennial soccer standout scored a goal in the 80th minute to help seal Minnesota's 2-0 victory at Auburn in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The Gophers (12-8-2) converted on a pair of set pieces to earn their first postseason road win in program … [Read more...] about Gray’s goal seals Gophers’ 2-0 victory at Auburn in NCAA opener

Pairings announced for Division I, II and III soccer tournaments

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Molly Close wasn't too worried when the Wartburg College women's soccer team lost to Loras, 3-2, in the championship game of the American Rivers Conference Tournament on Saturday. The former Ankeny standout thought the Knights would still receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III tournament, and she was right. Wartburg (13-5-1) received its … [Read more...] about Pairings announced for Division I, II and III soccer tournaments

Ballenger sparks Wayne State to victory over No. 6 Concordia St. Paul

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Ankeny High School's all-time kills leader has become an offensive force at the NCAA Division II volleyball level. Alyssa Ballenger pounded a career-high 18 kills to lead Wayne State College (Neb.) to a victory at sixth-ranked Concordia St. Paul on Saturday at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul. The sophomore outside hitter racked up a .472 hitting … [Read more...] about Ballenger sparks Wayne State to victory over No. 6 Concordia St. Paul

Gray, Gophers earn automatic bid to NCAA Tournament

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Megan Gray and the Minnesota women's soccer team are headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers were on the NCAA bubble before knocking off 15th-ranked Penn State in penalty kicks, 5-4, to win the Big Ten Tournament title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. "It was always something we were working toward … [Read more...] about Gray, Gophers earn automatic bid to NCAA Tournament

Bravo Kelso! UNI’s Yarrow named to all-MVC 1st team

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Former Ankeny soccer star Kelsey Yarrow has been named to the all-Missouri Valley Conference first team after leading the Northern Iowa women's team to a 9-7-3 record this season. Yarrow, a senior midfielder, was the Panthers' second-leading scorer with five goals, including two game-winning goals. She also contributed two assists. Yarrow started every … [Read more...] about Bravo Kelso! UNI’s Yarrow named to all-MVC 1st team

Augustana’s Legg named NSIC Freshman of the Year

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Former Ankeny soccer star Alexis Legg has been named the Freshman of the Year in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. She was also named to the all-NSIC third team. Legg, a midfielder, is having one of the best freshman seasons in Augustana program history. She has scored a team-high 10 goals, which ranks fifth in the NSIC. Legg has already … [Read more...] about Augustana’s Legg named NSIC Freshman of the Year

Former Ankeny soccer stars to collide in B1G semifinals on Friday

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Four former members of the Ankeny-based Iowa Rush Soccer Club have advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament later this week at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. Sixth-seeded Nebraska and seventh-seeded Minnesota both pulled off upsets in the quarterfinals on Sunday, setting up a showdown between the two teams on Friday at 12:30 p.m. The game will … [Read more...] about Former Ankeny soccer stars to collide in B1G semifinals on Friday

‘Goofy’ Moss earns B1G Freshman of the Week honors

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If Riley Moss was nervous about making his first start for the Iowa football team, he didn't show it. "Riley is kind of a guy who is pretty loose in a way," teammate Jake Gervase said after Moss intercepted two passes in the Hawkeyes' 48-31 victory at Minnesota on Saturday. "He is confident in his abilities and he is kind of a goofy kid. He was ready to … [Read more...] about ‘Goofy’ Moss earns B1G Freshman of the Week honors

UNI’s Yarrow named MVC Offensive Player of the Week

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Kelsey Yarrow was a goal-scoring machine during her soccer career at Ankeny High School. She has made a big impact at the collegiate level, too. Northern Iowa's senior midfielder was named the Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. She had three goals to help the Panthers to a pair of victories last week. On Oct. 1, … [Read more...] about UNI’s Yarrow named MVC Offensive Player of the Week

Winters becomes Creighton’s all-time kills leader

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Jaali Winters set another Creighton volleyball record during the 10th-ranked Bluejays' sweep over St. John's on Sunday in Omaha. The former Ankeny Centennial star became Creighton's all-time kills leader midway through the second set. She broke Leah Ratzlaff's previous mark of 1,622 kills on an attack off an assist from longtime friend and teammate Megan … [Read more...] about Winters becomes Creighton’s all-time kills leader

Record crowd watches Creighton volleyball team fall to Nebraska

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Ankeny natives Megan Ballenger and Jaali Winters played before a record-setting volleyball crowd on Thursday. A turnout of 14,022, the largest volleyball-only crowd in NCAA regular-season history, watched 14th-ranked Creighton fall to No. 7 Nebraska at the CHI Health Center Omaha. The Bluejays (4-3) won the first two sets before Nebraska (5-1) rallied for … [Read more...] about Record crowd watches Creighton volleyball team fall to Nebraska