The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team opened its season on Thursday with an 11-0 victory over visiting Waukee in a CIML Conference dual meet. The contest was played under sunny skies with temperatures in the 50s. "We had a great start with an 11-0 win," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Everyone on the team stepped up to the plate and got a … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone on the team stepped up’: Jaguars romp past Waukee in opener
Alli Gustafson
Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team has been strengthened by the addition of an elite player who is already familiar with the Jaguars' program. Junior Abbie Peterson, who led the squad to a 9-3 record as a freshman two years ago, has returned to the team. She sat out last season to spend more time on the club circuit. "We are very excited to have … [Read more...] about Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson
NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals
A dramatic rally allowed Ankeny freshman Kira Smith to advance to the semifinals of the Class 2A singles bracket in the girls' state tennis tournament on Friday at Waukee Northwest. The fourth-seeded Smith won the final four games in the third set to post a 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Sasha Hyacinth of Waterloo West in the quarterfinals. She raised her … [Read more...] about NO ORDINARY SMITH: Ankeny freshman advances to Class 2A singles semifinals
Jaguars oust Council Bluffs Lincoln, then fall to No. 5 Johnston in regional final
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament on Tuesday before dropping a 5-1 decision at fifth-ranked Johnston. The Jaguars, who earlier posted a 5-0 win over Council Bluffs Lincoln in the semifinal round, finished with a 9-4 record. "Although our team season is over, I am very proud of the … [Read more...] about Jaguars oust Council Bluffs Lincoln, then fall to No. 5 Johnston in regional final
Jaguars beat one Lincoln (D.M.), will face another one (Council Bluffs) on Tuesday
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team didn't waste any time on Saturday. The Jaguars cruised to a 5-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal. "We hit five wins in singles, so we didn't have to go to doubles," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. Esther Guan, Jenna Benkufsky, Ara Lofgren, Morgan DenBeste and … [Read more...] about Jaguars beat one Lincoln (D.M.), will face another one (Council Bluffs) on Tuesday
Guan(derful)!: Centennial junior earns another trip to girls’ state tennis tourney
Ankeny Centennial junior Esther Guan is headed back to the girls' state tennis tournament--this time as a singles qualifier. Guan, who placed sixth in the Class 2A doubles tournament while playing with her sister Claudia a year ago, earned runner-up honors in a regional meet on Wednesday at Valley. She advances to the state tournament, which is slated for … [Read more...] about Guan(derful)!: Centennial junior earns another trip to girls’ state tennis tourney
‘The experience was fantastic’: Jaguars face state’s top teams at Valley Invite
Alli Gustafson wasn't worried about the wins and losses on Friday. The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach was just happy that her team was able to compete in the Valley Invitational. Facing some of the state's top teams, the Jaguars won only five of 20 matches in the tournament. But it was still a productive day. "Our competition today was … [Read more...] about ‘The experience was fantastic’: Jaguars face state’s top teams at Valley Invite
Centennial girls close out regular season with 9-2 victory over Fort Dodge
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team closed out the regular season in style. The 10th-ranked Jaguars posted a 9-2 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Wednesday. They finished 4-2 in the CIML Iowa Conference and improved to 7-3 overall under first-year coach Alli Gustafson. "It was fun for the girls to end the season with a great win," said … [Read more...] about Centennial girls close out regular season with 9-2 victory over Fort Dodge
‘This was a successful week’: Jaguars defeat Waukee NW for 3rd straight win
The Waukee Northwest girls' tennis team has seen enough of its conference rivals from Ankeny. After dropping an 11-0 decision at Ankeny on Thursday afternoon, the Wolves returned home for another meet against visiting Ankeny Centennial and suffered an 8-3 loss. It was the third straight victory for the Jaguars, who improved to 2-2 in the CIML Iowa … [Read more...] about ‘This was a successful week’: Jaguars defeat Waukee NW for 3rd straight win
‘It was a close battle’: Jaguars edge No. 10 Waukee, 6-5, for biggest win of year
It was the biggest win of the season for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. The Jaguars raised their record to 4-3 with a 6-5 victory at 10th-ranked Waukee in a non-conference meet on Tuesday. The No. 2 doubles team of Rozzie Sterling and Morgan DenBeste sealed the win with a three-set triumph. "Taking down Waukee was something we had been … [Read more...] about ‘It was a close battle’: Jaguars edge No. 10 Waukee, 6-5, for biggest win of year
Centennial girls post 11-0 shutout at Hoover, even their overall record at 3-3
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team played an outmanned opponent on Monday. The Jaguars lost only two games overall and rolled to an 11-0 victory at Des Moines Hoover in a non-conference meet. "Our lower varsity got some great action today," said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. "Hoover only had six girls playing total, so for doubles, some of our … [Read more...] about Centennial girls post 11-0 shutout at Hoover, even their overall record at 3-3
‘It feels great’: Ankeny girls defeat Jaguars for first time in series history
Back in February, the Ankeny girls' basketball team recorded its first-ever victory over its crosstown rival.n Now, the Ankeny girls' tennis squad has made some history as well. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes defeated Ankeny Centennial, 10-1, in a dual meet on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. They had lost all seven previous matchups against the … [Read more...] about ‘It feels great’: Ankeny girls defeat Jaguars for first time in series history
‘The girls all played super well’: Jaguars roll past Roosevelt, even mark at 2-2
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team evened its overall record at 2-2 with a 10-1 victory over visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a non-conference meet on Tuesday. The only win for the Roughriders (2-1) came at No. 3 singles, where Addie Pennington won by default over Centennial's Rozzie Sterling. "Rozzie had to forfeit due to illness in the middle … [Read more...] about ‘The girls all played super well’: Jaguars roll past Roosevelt, even mark at 2-2
Jaguars overcome blustery conditions, beat Marshalltown for coach’s first victory
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team picked up its first win under new coach Alli Gustafson on Monday. The Jaguars posted a 7-4 victory at Marshalltown on a cold and windy afternoon. They improved to 1-1 in the CIML Iowa Conference and 1-2 overall, while the Bobcats' records dropped to 0-1 and 0-3. "When the meet started, the temperature was 32 … [Read more...] about Jaguars overcome blustery conditions, beat Marshalltown for coach’s first victory
Jaguars compete against many of CIML’s top teams at Johnston Invitational
Monday's Johnston Invitational girls' tennis tournament featured many of the top teams in the CIML. Ankeny Centennial competed in the six-team event along with Dowling Catholic, Southeast Polk, Valley, Waukee and the host Dragons. Each school played a dual meet consisting of a nine-game pro set against the other five squads. "The girls played so well," … [Read more...] about Jaguars compete against many of CIML’s top teams at Johnston Invitational
Valley girls post 6-0 victory over Centennial in meet shortened due to rain
A tough opponent and some rainy weather proved to be a difficult combination on Tuesday for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. Visiting Valley posted a 6-0 victory in a non-conference meet at the Prairie Ridge courts. The contest was called off due to rain before the doubles matches began. "Valley is such a great team--one of the best in the … [Read more...] about Valley girls post 6-0 victory over Centennial in meet shortened due to rain
Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Alli Gustafson, Centennial girls’ tennis
The former Centennial standout makes her head coaching debut in the Jaguars' 6-5 loss to Ames. … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Coach of the Month: Alli Gustafson, Centennial girls’ tennis
‘Our team battled hard’: Centennial girls drop 6-5 decision to Ames in opener
The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team got off to a good start in Monday's season-opening dual meet against visiting Ames. The Jaguars won four of the six singles matches to take a 4-2 lead, but Ames then rallied for a 6-5 victory in the CIML Iowa Conference matchup by winning four of the five doubles matches. "Our team battled hard," said Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘Our team battled hard’: Centennial girls drop 6-5 decision to Ames in opener
Ex-star Gustafson returns to Centennial girls’ tennis program as head coach
When Ankeny Centennial first opened in 2013, the school opted to hire Collin Daniels--who was then a student at Iowa State University--to coach the boys' tennis team. Now, the Jaguars have turned to another Iowa State student to coach the girls' tennis squad. Alli Gustafson, a former Centennial standout, has returned to the program as head coach. A … [Read more...] about Ex-star Gustafson returns to Centennial girls’ tennis program as head coach
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team
Some of the best girls' tennis teams in Ankeny High School history could have been even better. Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Hawkettes reeled off 20 consecutive dual-meet victories under coach Dirk Baker, one of the best players in the school at that time was Karlin Hayes. "Karlin was a top 100 player in the 14s, but she never … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny girls’ tennis team