Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

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

Grand View’s Greathouse, Rittman earn all-region honors

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It's been more than 13 months since Miranda Greathouse played for a losing team in a volleyball match. It's been that kind of year for the Grand View University freshman. Greathouse, who ended her Ankeny High School career with a Class 5A regional semifinal loss at Dowling Catholic last October, has helped the top-ranked Vikings to a perfect 34-0 … [Read more...] about Grand View’s Greathouse, Rittman earn all-region honors

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

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

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

Ballenger named tournament MVP, BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week

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Former Ankeny volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has been named the BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week after leading 14th-ranked Creighton to a 3-0 weekend in Dallas at the SMU DoubleTree Classic. Ballenger, a junior, was selected MVP of the tournament after helping the Bluejays to three sweeps. She averaged 3.89 points, 3.44 kills and 0.78 … [Read more...] about Ballenger named tournament MVP, BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week

Creighton’s Winters earns Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award

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The BIG EAST Conference has announced the winners of the 2017-18 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards, which recognize academic and athletic achievement as well as community service. Creighton's lone honoree is volleyball player Jaali Winters of Ankeny, a rising senior who stars on the court and in the classroom. The Scholar-Athlete Sport … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Winters earns Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award

Winters named Creighton’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year

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  Creighton volleyball star Jaali Winters was the recipient of one of the major awards on Monday night at the inaugural edition of The Billy's, which celebrates the school's top individual and team accomplishments from the last year. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, was named along with Creighton baseball player Michael Emodi as … [Read more...] about Winters named Creighton’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year

Centennial to host Creighton vs. Wisconsin volleyball scrimmage on Sunday

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A scrimmage between NCAA Division I volleyball powers Creighton and Wisconsin will be held on Sunday at Ankeny Centennial, beginning at 1 p.m. Admission is free. Creighton's roster includes former Ankeny standout Megan Ballenger and former Centennial star Jaali Winters. They helped the Bluejays to their fourth consecutive Big East Conference … [Read more...] about Centennial to host Creighton vs. Wisconsin volleyball scrimmage on Sunday

Macke, Winters participate in 2018 U.S. Women’s National Team open tryouts

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The game of volleyball has taken Kylee Macke and Jaali Winters all over the United States. Earlier this month, the sport brought the former Ankeny Centennial teammates together at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The duo was among more than 230 student-athletes from 90 colleges and universities who participated in the 2018 U.S. … [Read more...] about Macke, Winters participate in 2018 U.S. Women’s National Team open tryouts