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Alli Gustafson

‘It was pretty amazing’: Centennial girls qualify all 6 players for state tourney

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It's been a banner season for the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team. It got even better on Wednesday. The third-ranked Jaguars qualified all six of their players for the Class 2A state tournament by sweeping the top two places in both singles and doubles in a regional tournament at Ames. The state tournament will be held on May 26-27 at the … [Read more...] about ‘It was pretty amazing’: Centennial girls qualify all 6 players for state tourney

‘Amazing tennis’ allows Jaguars to win Valley Invitational title for first time ever

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team made some history on Friday. The third-ranked Jaguars captured the team title at the Valley Invitational, topping a field that included five of the top nine squads in Class 2A. "This is the first time that it's ever happened," Centennial coach Alli Gustafson said of her team's triumph. "It was a fun … [Read more...] about ‘Amazing tennis’ allows Jaguars to win Valley Invitational title for first time ever

Centennial girls raise their overall record to 8-1 with back-to-back shutouts

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team is rolling toward the postseason. The third-ranked Jaguars posted back-to-back shutouts on Monday and Tuesday, romping to an 11-0 win over visiting Waukee before defeating host Southeast Polk by the same score. They raised their records to 6-1 in the CIML Conference and 8-1 overall. "It’s great to see the girls … [Read more...] about Centennial girls raise their overall record to 8-1 with back-to-back shutouts

‘We were definitely motivated to win!’: Jaguars avenge last year’s loss to rival

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The third-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team avenged last year's loss to Ankeny with an 11-0 victory over the No. 9 Hawkettes on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars won 10 of the 11 matches in straight sets. The only exception came at No. 6 singles, where Ankeny's Sophie Schmitz lost by injury default after dropping the first set to … [Read more...] about ‘We were definitely motivated to win!’: Jaguars avenge last year’s loss to rival

‘Today was another great win’: Jaguars top Johnston, improve to 5-1 overall

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team won three come-from-behind matches and defeated host Johnston, 8-3, in a CIML Conference dual meet on Tuesday. The third-ranked Jaguars improved their records to 4-1 in the league and 5-1 overall. No. 10 Johnston dropped to 3-3 in the conference. "Today was another great win for the team," said Centennial coach … [Read more...] about ‘Today was another great win’: Jaguars top Johnston, improve to 5-1 overall

Jaguars lose just 7 games, romp to 11-0 victory over Burlington Notre Dame

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Monday's non-conference meet against visiting Burlington Notre Dame gave Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis coach Alli Gustafson an opportunity to adjust her lineup. The third-ranked Jaguars rolled to an impressive 11-0 victory--even though the team's top two players, Abbie Peterson and Esther Guan, did not play doubles. "We finally had some beautiful … [Read more...] about Jaguars lose just 7 games, romp to 11-0 victory over Burlington Notre Dame

‘Everyone helped contribute to this great win!’: Jaguars roll past No. 3 Valley, 8-3

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The sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team bounced back from Tuesday's loss to No. 1 Dowling Catholic with an 8-3 victory over No. 3 Valley on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The Jaguars swept all six singles matches in straight sets to seal the win. They defeated Valley for the first time since 2017. "The girls all found victories in … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone helped contribute to this great win!’: Jaguars roll past No. 3 Valley, 8-3

Defending state champion Maroons hold off Centennial girls for 6-4 win

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The Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team nearly knocked off defending state champion Dowling Catholic on Tuesday at the Prairie Ridge courts. The top-ranked Maroons held off No. 6 Centennial to post a 6-4 victory in the CIML Conference dual meet. The final match at No. 3 doubles was tied at one set apiece but could not be completed due to … [Read more...] about Defending state champion Maroons hold off Centennial girls for 6-4 win

Centennial girls overcome Peterson’s absence to post 6-5 win at Urbandale

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Competing without its top player, the Ankeny Centennial girls' tennis team posted a 6-5 victory at Urbandale in a CIML Conference dual meet on Friday. The Jaguars improved to 2-0 in the conference after routing Waukee, 11-0, in their season opener on Thursday. The J-Hawks dropped to 0-1 in the league and 2-1 overall. "It is great to begin with two … [Read more...] about Centennial girls overcome Peterson’s absence to post 6-5 win at Urbandale

‘Everyone on the team stepped up’: Jaguars romp past Waukee in opener

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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

Centennial girls boast high hopes with strong returnees, addition of Peterson

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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