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Alli Gustafson

Centennial girls top Hempstead, fall to Iowa City West at Jaguar Kickoff Quad

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Friday was an historic day at the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. The Ankeny Centennial girls' team hosted the Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular that also included Dubuque Hempstead, Iowa City West and Valley. It marked the beginning of the first-ever fall season for girls' tennis, which was previously played in the spring. "It was a great day to kick off the … [Read more...] about Centennial girls top Hempstead, fall to Iowa City West at Jaguar Kickoff Quad

ACHS to host Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular Friday as girls’ tennis moves to fall sport

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It may seem like the girls' tennis season ended just a couple of months ago. And, in fact, it did. Now, with the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union moving girls' tennis to a fall sport, Ankeny Centennial coach Alli Gustafson and her players are gearing up for their second season of 2025. Centennial will host the Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular against … [Read more...] about ACHS to host Jaguar Kickoff Quadrangular Friday as girls’ tennis moves to fall sport

‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney

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Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season. On Saturday, the pain finally became too much. Peterson was forced to withdraw from her final match in the Class 2A singles division of the girls' state tennis tournament at Iowa City. She finished in eighth place. "We’re incredibly proud of her for … [Read more...] about ‘We’re incredibly proud of her’: Peterson earns 8th-place finish at state tourney

Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner

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The potential matchup between Ankeny senior Kira Smith and Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson never materialized on Friday in the Class 2A singles bracket, but both players advanced to the second day of the girls' state tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. The top-seeded Smith cruised into the semifinals with a pair … [Read more...] about Smith cruises into Class 2A semifinals, while Peterson becomes placewinner

Hawkettes, Jaguars fall to Pleasant Valley in Class 2A regional team tournament

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A long day in Pleasant Valley ended in similar fashion for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis teams. Both the Hawkettes and Jaguars saw their seasons come to an end with a loss to Pleasant Valley in a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday. The Spartans posted a 5-1 victory over Centennial in the semifinal round, then battled Ankeny late … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars fall to Pleasant Valley in Class 2A regional team tournament

Hawkettes, Jaguars advance to regional semifinals on Tuesday at Pleasant Valley

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Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial advanced to the semifinal round of the girls' Class 2A regional team tennis competition with victories on Friday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Hawkettes posted a 5-0 win over Southeast Polk. They blanked the Rams (1-10) for the second time this season. "Our goal on the day was to not have to play doubles," said … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars advance to regional semifinals on Tuesday at Pleasant Valley

‘I always know what I’m capable of’: Jags’ Peterson earns 2nd trip to state tourney

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Ankeny Centennial junior Samara Peterson is headed to the girls' state tennis tournament for the second time. Peterson, who qualified as a freshman in 2023 while playing doubles with Megan Yuan, won a Class 2A regional singles title on Monday at Ames. She posted a 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 victory over Johnston freshman Brianna Launderville in the final. "After … [Read more...] about ‘I always know what I’m capable of’: Jags’ Peterson earns 2nd trip to state tourney

‘It was a great end to our regular season’: Centennial girls edge Ames for 6-5 victory

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team had its two closest meets of the season on back-to-back days. After dropping a 6-5 decision at Southeast Polk on Thursday, the Jaguars rebounded on Friday with a 6-5 victory over Ames in a non-conference meet. Centennial took a 4-2 lead after singles against both opponents. The Jaguars were unable to get the two … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great end to our regular season’: Centennial girls edge Ames for 6-5 victory

‘The victory was truly a collective effort’: Jaguars top Fort Dodge for their first win

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Persistence finally paid off on Friday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars traveled to Fort Dodge for a non-conference meet and posted a 9-2 victory for their first win of the season. They improved to 1-8 overall, while the Dodgers' record fell to 5-4. "The victory was truly a collective effort from the whole team, with every … [Read more...] about ‘The victory was truly a collective effort’: Jaguars top Fort Dodge for their first win

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Centennial girls, Ankeny boys fall to CIML foes at home

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The Ankeny boys' and Ankeny Centennial girls' teams both suffered conference losses on their home courts Thursday. The Jaguars dropped a 10-1 decision to Waukee. It was their Senior Night. "We had the chance to celebrate our seniors and recognize all the incredible contributions they’ve made to our program," said Centennial coach Alli … [Read more...] about TENNIS ROUNDUP: Centennial girls, Ankeny boys fall to CIML foes at home

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Ankeny, Centennial squads get swept by Johnston, Dowling

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Tuesday was a rough night for the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial tennis teams. All four squads suffered losses in CIML Conference play. At the Prairie Ridge courts, the Ankeny boys' team dropped an 11-0 decision to Johnston while the Centennial girls' squad was blanked by Dowling Catholic, 11-0. It was the fourth consecutive shutout loss for the Jaguars, … [Read more...] about TENNIS ROUNDUP: Ankeny, Centennial squads get swept by Johnston, Dowling

‘We continue to grow’: Depleted Jags gain experience in losses to Valley, Cedar Falls

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The depleted Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team traveled to the Byrnes Park Tennis Center in Waterloo on Monday and lost to a pair of tough opponents at the Cedar Falls Quadrangular. The Jaguars dropped an 11-0 decision to Valley in a CIML Conference meet, then fell to the host Tigers, 9-0, in a non-conference matchup. They are now 0-4 in the league and … [Read more...] about ‘We continue to grow’: Depleted Jags gain experience in losses to Valley, Cedar Falls

TENNIS ROUNDUP: Ankeny teams tumble to Waukee by same score, similar fashion

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The Ankeny tennis teams both lost to Waukee, 7-4, in CIML Conference action on Thursday. In both meets, the Warriors won four of the five doubles matches to seal the victory. In the girls' meet at Ankeny, the Hawkettes got singles wins from Sophie Schmitz, Olivia North and Satviki Gorrela. After dropping the first set, Schmitz rallied from a 4-1 deficit … [Read more...] about TENNIS ROUNDUP: Ankeny teams tumble to Waukee by same score, similar fashion

‘It was definitely fun’: Hawkettes defeat Centennial girls in Pink Out event, 8-3

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For only the second time ever, the Ankeny girls' tennis team earned a win against its crosstown rival. The Hawkettes posted an 8-3 victory over Ankeny Centennial on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts, avenging last year's loss by the same score. They are now 1-1 in the CIML Conference and 2-2 overall, while the Jaguars' records dropped to 0-2 in the … [Read more...] about ‘It was definitely fun’: Hawkettes defeat Centennial girls in Pink Out event, 8-3

Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener

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Tuesday's season opener provided a huge test for the inexperienced Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. With only three returning varsity regulars, the Jaguars traveled to Waukee Northwest to face one of the state's top squads. The Wolves dominated the CIML Conference matchup, rolling to an 11-0 victory. Northwest won four of the singles matches … [Read more...] about Inexperienced Centennial girls tumble to Waukee Northwest in season opener

Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

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Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson will be spending a lot of time with her players over the next several months. Tryouts for the spring season begin on Monday for the Jaguars, who will then transition to a fall season in August under schedule changes from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union for 2025-26. "So far, our numbers for … [Read more...] about Centennial girls focus on spring season, prepare for switch to fall tennis in August

Gustafson, Smith see both positives, negatives with moving girls’ tennis to fall

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Girls' tennis coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Steve Smith of Ankeny were both prepared for the possibility that their sport would be moving to the fall eventually. It officially happened on Monday with a dual press release from the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union and the Iowa High School Athletic Association, beginning with the … [Read more...] about Gustafson, Smith see both positives, negatives with moving girls’ tennis to fall

‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience

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Talia Baca's third-place match in a girls' Class 2A regional tennis tournament earlier this month turned out to be for more than just pride. Baca's three-set victory over Emily Allen of Indianola allowed her to get into the state singles tournament on Friday when the district champion, Lexi Moen of Valley, had to withdraw due to sickness. "We found out … [Read more...] about ‘I’m sure she will be back’: Centennial’s Baca gains some state-meet experience

Jaguars beat Norwalk girls, then tumble to No. 3 Waukee NW in regional final

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis squad advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday before dropping a 5-0 decision to third-ranked Waukee Northwest, which hosted the meet. The Jaguars, who posted a 5-1 win over Norwalk in the semifinal round, ended the season with a 7-4 record. The Warriors finished 6-6. "Although today … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat Norwalk girls, then tumble to No. 3 Waukee NW in regional final