A non-conference meet proved to be just what the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team needed to get back on the winning track. The Jaguars ended a four-meet losing streak--all of them against CIML Conference opponents--with a 10-1 victory over visiting North Polk on Thursday. They raised their overall record to 4-6, while the Comets dropped to 2-5 on the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great win!’: Jaguars end losing skid with 10-1 victory over North Polk
Alli Gustafson
‘I’m proud of how everyone stepped up’: Depleted Jaguars fall at Waukee, 10-1
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team ended a tough stretch of three meets in four days with back-to-back losses on the road against quality opponents from the CIML Conference. The Jaguars dropped an 11-0 decision at Dowling Catholic on Thursday before falling at Waukee, 10-1, on Friday. They are now 1-4 in the conference and 3-5 overall. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of how everyone stepped up’: Depleted Jaguars fall at Waukee, 10-1
Peterson wins both of her matches, but Jaguars drop 8-3 decision to Urbandale
Despite a pair of wins from Samara Peterson, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dropped an 8-3 decision to visiting Urbandale in a CIML Conference meet on Tuesday. The J-Hawks won four of the six singles matches and four of the five doubles matches. They improved to 2-2 in the conference and 5-2 overall, while Centennial's records dropped to 1-2 and … [Read more...] about Peterson wins both of her matches, but Jaguars drop 8-3 decision to Urbandale
‘Every player in the lineup stepped up’: Jaguars avenge April loss to Ankeny girls
Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson wanted her players to commit to every point during Thursday's meet against crosstown rival Ankeny. The Jaguars took their coach's message to heart. Centennial turned in a dominating performance at the Prairie Ridge courts, sweeping all 11 matches to post an 11-0 victory over the Hawkettes. The win … [Read more...] about ‘Every player in the lineup stepped up’: Jaguars avenge April loss to Ankeny girls
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 314
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Legacy Realty of Iowa and Revive Dermatology Clinic and Spa, publisher Dan Holm breaks down the start of the first-ever fall girls' tennis season and previews Thursday's Jag-Hawk showdown with coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Katie Owens of Ankeny. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 314
‘Our team made big strides’: Jaguars see progress despite 11-0 loss to Waukee NW
The scores from Tuesday's meet at the Prairie Ridge courts didn't reflect the progress of the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars opened CIML Conference play with an 11-0 loss to visiting Waukee Northwest, but Centennial coach Alli Gustafson felt like her team played much better against the Wolves than it did back on April 8. Four months … [Read more...] about ‘Our team made big strides’: Jaguars see progress despite 11-0 loss to Waukee NW
Centennial girls roll to 11-0 win over Fort Dodge, will face Waukee NW, Ankeny next
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team began a busy week in impressive fashion. The Jaguars rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting Fort Dodge in a non-conference meet on Monday at the Prairie Ridge courts. They raised their record to 2-1, while the Dodgers dropped to 0-3. "The team as a whole had a great performance tonight, sweeping the meet and … [Read more...] about Centennial girls roll to 11-0 win over Fort Dodge, will face Waukee NW, Ankeny next
Centennial girls top Hempstead, fall to Iowa City West at Jaguar Kickoff Quad
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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