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Alli Gustafson

‘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

Jaguars fall short in semifinals as Valley girls dominate regional tournament

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team qualified all six of its players for the Class 2A state tournament. On Monday at Valley, the host Tigers accomplished the same feat and thus prevented Centennial from advancing any of its players to this year's tournament. Valley dominated the regional singles and doubles tournament, sweeping the top … [Read more...] about Jaguars fall short in semifinals as Valley girls dominate regional tournament

‘It was a great day of tennis’: Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk on their Senior Night

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It was a banner Senior Night for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference meet on Wednesday. They won all 11 matches in straight sets to keep the Rams winless. "It was a great day of tennis with everyone in the lineup getting a win!" said Centennial coach Alli … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great day of tennis’: Jaguars roll past S.E. Polk on their Senior Night

Centennial girls face trio of top-10 opponents at Valley Quadrangular

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team faced off against three top-10 squads in the Valley Quadrangular on Monday. Top-ranked Dowling Catholic, No. 5 Valley and No. 7 Iowa City West also competed in the meet, which consisted of two singles and four doubles flights. "We did well!" said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "The invitational had some tough … [Read more...] about Centennial girls face trio of top-10 opponents at Valley Quadrangular

‘It was a fabulous tribute’: Jaguars coach Lewton honored before Pink Out meet

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Ankeny Centennial boys' tennis coach Tami Lewton has been a driving force behind the annual Pink Out meet between Ankeny's crosstown rivals. On Thursday, it was time for the tennis community to give something back to Lewton. Prior to the Pink Out meet at the Prairie Ridge courts, Lewton was honored in an emotional ceremony. She has spent much of the … [Read more...] about ‘It was a fabulous tribute’: Jaguars coach Lewton honored before Pink Out meet

‘We couldn’t close when we needed to’: No. 6 Jaguars fall to No. 5 Johnston, 7-4

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The latest Class 2A girls' tennis rankings would suggest that there isn't much of a gap between the fifth-ranked Johnston and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial teams. Tuesday's dual meet between the two squads confirmed that assumption. The Dragons won four of the seven matches that were decided by a third-set supertiebreaker and outlasted host Centennial, 7-4, … [Read more...] about ‘We couldn’t close when we needed to’: No. 6 Jaguars fall to No. 5 Johnston, 7-4

Jaguars post 7-2 win over Cedar Falls, then suffer 6-3 loss to C.R. Washington

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The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team hosted a quadrangular meet on Monday and came away with a split at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars posted a 7-2 win over Cedar Falls before dropping a 6-3 decision to Cedar Rapids Washington, last year's Class 2A state champion. No. 3 Valley also participated in the meet, recording victories over … [Read more...] about Jaguars post 7-2 win over Cedar Falls, then suffer 6-3 loss to C.R. Washington

Centennial girls improve record to 3-1 with 11-0 victory over North Polk

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The fifth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team rolled to an 11-0 victory over visiting North Polk in a non-conference meet on Monday. The Jaguars won 10 of the 11 matches in straight sets. The only match that went to a third-set supertiebreaker came at No. 5 doubles, where Centennial's Kalyani Bhat and Anna Brosnahan rallied from a one-set deficit … [Read more...] about Centennial girls improve record to 3-1 with 11-0 victory over North Polk

‘I was proud of our entire lineup’: Jaguars win rematch against Valley girls

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In a matchup of two squads that reached the semifinals of the Class 2A state team tournament last season, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team edged visiting Valley, 6-5, in a CIML Conference meet on Friday. The Jaguars won four of the five doubles matches to improve to 2-1 in the conference and overall. Valley's records dropped to 1-2 and 2-3. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I was proud of our entire lineup’: Jaguars win rematch against Valley girls

Mixdorf provides only win as Jaguars drop 10-1 decision at Dowling Catholic

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Without its No. 1 player, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team dropped a 10-1 decision at Dowling Catholic on Tuesday. The Jaguars were unable to overcome the absence of Abbie Peterson, who was out with an injury. "We had to shuffle everyone up a spot," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Dowling is a very talented and deep team, and we fell … [Read more...] about Mixdorf provides only win as Jaguars drop 10-1 decision at Dowling Catholic

Abbie Peterson returns to court, helps Jags past Urbandale in season opener

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Abbie Peterson's high school tennis career isn't over after all. The two-time state placewinner had planned to skip her senior season at Ankeny Centennial in order to focus on preparing for her collegiate career at Northern Iowa. But Peterson had a change of heart and rejoined the Jaguars' squad earlier this week. On Thursday, Peterson won both of her … [Read more...] about Abbie Peterson returns to court, helps Jags past Urbandale in season opener

Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023

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A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team enjoyed an historic season. Now, the Jaguars are looking to build on that success. "I have several goals for this season," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "First, I would love for every player to see improvement on an individual level. I also hope to help my players continue to develop … [Read more...] about Centennial girls look to build on success following historic campaign in 2023

Centennial’s Gustafson named Class 2A girls’ tennis coach of the year

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After her team enjoyed the best season in school history, Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson has been named the Class 2A coach of the year. Gustafson guided the Jaguars to a 12-3 record, capped off by a fourth-place finish in the Class 2A state team tournament. Six of her players also qualified for the individual state tournament, … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Gustafson named Class 2A girls’ tennis coach of the year