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Volleyball

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

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