Ankeny Fanatic

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Volleyball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian volleyball

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Sophomore outside hitter Carley Craighead helped the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to the Class 1A state title last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The seventh-ranked Eagles won their last 18 matches and finished with a 39-3 record. Craighead pounded 20 kills as ACA outlasted No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in five sets in Thursday's championship … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carley Craighead, Ankeny Christian volleyball

A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Eagles rally for 5-set win, claim ACA’s first crown

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The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball squad was expected to contend for the school's first state championship in any team sport in the next couple of years. The young Eagles decided that they didn't want to wait to make some history. Seventh-ranked ACA, which starts five sophomores, used a miraculous rally to defeat No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the … [Read more...] about A COMEBACK FOR THE AGES: Eagles rally for 5-set win, claim ACA’s first crown

Eagles pull off stunning upset, will play for school’s 1st state title in any sport

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A stunning upset has put Ankeny Christian Academy on the brink of its first state championship in any team sport. The seventh-ranked Eagles advanced to the Class 1A final at the state volleyball tournament with a 25-10, 25-19, 25-22 victory over No. 1 Springville in Wednesday's semifinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. It was the 17th consecutive win … [Read more...] about Eagles pull off stunning upset, will play for school’s 1st state title in any sport

Eagles rout Don Bosco in tourney debut, will play No. 1 Springville in 1A semifinals

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Ankeny Christian Academy's state volleyball tournament debut was a smashing success. The seventh-ranked Eagles got off to a fast start and never looked back in a Class 1A quarterfinal against No. 8 Don Bosco on Tuesday night. They rolled to a 25-16, 25-23, 25-14 victory at Xtream Arena in Coralville. "It was crazy," said ACA setter Katie Quick. "It's … [Read more...] about Eagles rout Don Bosco in tourney debut, will play No. 1 Springville in 1A semifinals

SHE’S A NATIONAL CHAMP: Robinson helps Badgers to first volleyball title

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Devyn Robinson's volleyball resume just keeps growing. The former Ankeny Centennial star is now an NCAA champion. Robinson had six kills and 10 blocks to help Wisconsin to a thrilling five-set victory over Big Ten Conference rival Nebraska in the title match on Saturday at Columbus, Ohio. The Badgers (31-3) posted a 22-25, 31-29, 25-23, 23-25, 15-12 … [Read more...] about SHE’S A NATIONAL CHAMP: Robinson helps Badgers to first volleyball title

BOUND FOR COLUMBUS: Robinson helps Badgers reach 3rd straight Final 4

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Devyn Robinson and the Wisconsin volleyball team are headed back to the Final Four. Again. Robinson had 11 kills and six blocks as the fourth-seeded Badgers swept Big Ten conference rival Minnesota in the Madison regional final on Saturday at UW Field House. The former Ankeny Centennial star was named to the all-region team. "I just went out there … [Read more...] about BOUND FOR COLUMBUS: Robinson helps Badgers reach 3rd straight Final 4

Florida Gulf Coast’s rally spoils potential duel between ex-Jags Sauer, Robinson

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The anticipated matchup between former Ankeny Centennial volleyball stars Devyn Robinson and Kenna Sauer in the NCAA Tournament never materialized. While Robinson's Wisconsin team cruised to an easy victory over Colgate in Friday's opening round at the UW Field House, Sauer's Texas Tech squad jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Florida Gulf Coast before … [Read more...] about Florida Gulf Coast’s rally spoils potential duel between ex-Jags Sauer, Robinson

Texas Tech’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson could meet in NCAA Tournament

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Kenna Sauer helped the Texas Tech volleyball team end a 20-year NCAA Championship drought. Now, the former Ankeny Centennial star could be headed toward a possible second-round matchup against one of her ex-Jaguar teammates. Sauer and the Red Raiders (17-12) earned their first trip to the Big Dance since 2001 during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday … [Read more...] about Texas Tech’s Sauer, Wisconsin’s Robinson could meet in NCAA Tournament

DIG THIS: Ex-Jag Macke becomes Drake’s all-time leader with her 2,424th dig

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Former Ankeny Centennial standout Kylee Macke already owned three of the top 11 single-season dig totals in Drake volleyball history. Now, the redshirt senior libero is the Bulldogs' all-time leader as well. Macke recorded 12 digs on Saturday during Drake's sweep over visiting Southern Illinois at the Knapp Center. She became the Bulldogs' career digs … [Read more...] about DIG THIS: Ex-Jag Macke becomes Drake’s all-time leader with her 2,424th dig

SAUER POWER: Ex-Jaguar star named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

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Kenna Sauer transferred to Texas Tech looking for a fresh start to her collegiate volleyball career. It turned out to be a good move. Sauer led the Red Raiders to a 3-0 record in the Green Wave Invitational last weekend at Birmingham, Ala. The Missouri transfer was named tournament MVP after pounding 30 kills in a four-set victory over Sam Houston, the … [Read more...] about SAUER POWER: Ex-Jaguar star named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week

‘I’m excited to get there!’: Sauer to transfer from Missouri to Texas Tech

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Kenna Sauer is leaving a former Big 12 Conference school for a current one. Sauer, who played her first two years of collegiate volleyball at Missouri, has decided to transfer to Texas Tech. She will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. "What really drew me to Tech was the coaching staff and how valued they made me feel," said Sauer. "I feel … [Read more...] about ‘I’m excited to get there!’: Sauer to transfer from Missouri to Texas Tech

Ex-Centennial star Robinson earns third-team All-American honors

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A record six members of the top-ranked Wisconsin volleyball team--including former Ankeny Centennial star Devyn Robinson--have earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America honors, the organization announced on Wednesday. Robinson was named to the third team. Just the fourth Badger to earn All-America honors as a freshman, Robinson … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial star Robinson earns third-team All-American honors

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