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Volleyball

Coe’s Teeple named American Rivers Conference Most Valuable Player

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Former Ankeny Centennial volleyball standout Elli Teeple made some history on Thursday. The Coe College setter was named the American Rivers Conference Volleyball MVP, becoming the first Kohawk women's player to earn the league's MVP award. The junior has now earned all-conference honors in three straight seasons. Teeple was among a record six Coe … [Read more...] about Coe’s Teeple named American Rivers Conference Most Valuable Player

Wisconsin freshman Robinson named to all-Big Ten Conference first team

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It didn't take long for Wisconsin's Devyn Robinson to become a force in the Big Ten Conference. The former Ankeny Centennial volleyball star has been named to the all-Big Ten first team, the league office announced on Wednesday. The freshman middle blocker and right-side hitter has helped the Badgers to a 15-0 record this season. Robinson has racked up … [Read more...] about Wisconsin freshman Robinson named to all-Big Ten Conference first team

Ballenger, Vacek return home for ‘amazing experience’ to play Cyclones

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The end of Alyssa Ballenger's collegiate volleyball career is just around the corner. Isabelle Vacek's career is just getting under way. Despite those differences, both former Ankeny standouts enjoyed returning to central Iowa last weekend as their Wayne State (Neb.) squad played a pair of exhibition matches against Iowa State at Hilton … [Read more...] about Ballenger, Vacek return home for ‘amazing experience’ to play Cyclones

Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

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Creighton volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has received all-region honors for the first time in her career. Ballenger, a senior from Ankeny, was one of four Bluejays to be honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday. She was joined on the all-East Region first team by teammates Keely Davis, Brittany Witt and East Region Player of … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season

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The volleyball season came to an end on Saturday night for both Megan Ballenger and Kenna Sauer. It also marked the end of Ballenger's Creighton career. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had seven kills and four blocks in 15th-ranked Creighton's five-set loss at No. 7 Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers held off a pair of … [Read more...] about Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season

Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney

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Megan Ballenger and the Creighton volleyball team put an end to Iowa State's season while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Minneapolis. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had four kills and a team-high three blocks as 15th-ranked Creighton moved into the Round of 32 with an impressive sweep of the Cyclones. The Bluejays … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney

Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

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Former Ankeny volleyball star Megan Ballenger will be joined in this year's NCAA Tournament field by a trio of former Ankeny Centennial standouts. Freshmen Megan Lively of Central Florida, Kenna Sauer of Missouri and Ari Winters of Denver will all be making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Those three players helped the Jaguars to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

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As she walked across the court at D.J. Sokol Arena, possibly for the last time in front of the Creighton volleyball fans, senior middle hitter Megan Ballenger tried to soak it all in. The former Ankeny star was honored as part of the Bluejays' Senior Day following Sunday's four-set victory over DePaul that clinched Creighton's unprecedented sixth … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney

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Ari Winters and the University of Denver volleyball team are headed to the NCAA Tournament. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial star, helped the Pioneers to their fifth Summit League Tournament championship in program history on Sunday at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver. The freshman outside hitter had four kills, seven block assists and four digs as Denver … [Read more...] about Winters’ kill clinches Summit League crown, sends Denver to NCAA Tourney

Macke continues to thrive on volleyball court, despite Bulldogs’ struggles

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While Drake volleyball standout Kylee Macke has enjoyed another excellent season on the court, the Bulldogs have struggled to build on their recent success. Macke, a former Ankeny Centennial libero, had 20 digs on Friday in the Bulldogs' loss to Northern Iowa before a crowd of 1,245 at the Knapp Center. The Panthers posted a 25-18, 26-24, 25-17 victory to … [Read more...] about Macke continues to thrive on volleyball court, despite Bulldogs’ struggles

Robinson helps U.S. team to first-ever gold medal at U18 World Championship

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Devyn Robinson is now a world champion. The Ankeny Centennial volleyball star played a key role as the U.S. Girls Youth National Team won its first-ever gold medal at the U18 World Championship, outlasting Italy in five sets in the final of this year's edition on Saturday night at Cairo, Egypt. The Americans, who had previously missed two chances at … [Read more...] about Robinson helps U.S. team to first-ever gold medal at U18 World Championship

Ballenger helps Bluejays to 3-0 mark at Cedar Falls, earns all-tourney honors

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Megan Ballenger's final trip to her home state as a member of the Creighton volleyball team was a memorable one. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, was named to the all-tournament team after helping Creighton to three victories at the UNI Tournament last weekend at Cedar Falls. The Bluejays posted four-set wins over No. 12 Kentucky and No. 15 USC as well as … [Read more...] about Ballenger helps Bluejays to 3-0 mark at Cedar Falls, earns all-tourney honors

Drake’s Macke named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

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Drake volleyball standout Kylee Macke, a former Ankeny Centennial star, has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. The junior libero helped Drake to two wins over the weekend at the Drake Invitational. The Bulldogs improved to 4-2 on the season. Macke led Drake with 56 digs in three … [Read more...] about Drake’s Macke named MVC Defensive Player of the Week

‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

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There's a reason why Megan Ballenger's teammates on the Creighton volleyball team call her "Mama Meg". The former Ankeny star has been a longtime leader for the Bluejays both on and off the court. "I do cook some food and do some other things for certain people sometimes," Ballenger said on Friday after the Bluejays played Iowa State in an exhibition … [Read more...] about ‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

Creighton’s Winters becomes a three-time all-American

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Creighton volleyball star Jaali Winters has been named a third-team all-American for the second time in her illustrious career. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, and teammates Madelyn Cole and Taryn Kloth have been honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Cole and Kloth each received honorable mention all-America status. This … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Winters becomes a three-time all-American

Washington sweeps Creighton, ends Winters’ record-setting career

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Jaali Winters' record-setting collegiate volleyball career came to a sudden end on Saturday in Omaha. Ninth-ranked Creighton saw its memorable 2018 season come to a close at D.J. Sokol Arena, falling in straight sets to No. 22 Washington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies won by scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-23. Creighton had a chance … [Read more...] about Washington sweeps Creighton, ends Winters’ record-setting career