Ankeny Fanatic

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Dave Whims

Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown

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The Ankeny volleyball team has picked up right where it left off a year ago. The defending Class 5A state champions opened their season on Tuesday by winning the Dallas Center-Grimes Invitational. Third-ranked Ankeny rallied to beat No. 10 Dowling Catholic, 18-21, 21-10, 15-10, in the championship match. "The last match was the best one," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Dowling Catholic to win DC-G Invitational crown

Defending champs look to ‘maintain high expectations program has reached’

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The goals haven't changed for the Ankeny volleyball team, even after losing Class 5A player of the year Phyona Schrader and fellow all-stater McKenna Scheib from last year's state championship squad. Ankeny coach Dave Whims thinks the Hawkettes can contend for another crown. "My goal is to get the players to play the best they can play as an individual … [Read more...] about Defending champs look to ‘maintain high expectations program has reached’

Ankeny star Schrader named Gatorade Iowa Volleyball Player of the Year

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Ankeny volleyball star Phyona Schrader has added another huge award to her collection of trophies. The senior setter has been named the Gatorade Iowa Player of the Year for 2020-21, becoming only the second Ankeny player to receive the award. Chelsey Semprini also earned the honor in 2008. "I was sitting drinking tea with my mom this morning when … [Read more...] about Ankeny star Schrader named Gatorade Iowa Volleyball Player of the Year

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

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Perhaps no high school sport has been more synonymous with the community of Ankeny than the game of volleyball. Ankeny High School captured four state championships in a six-year period from 2004-09. Following the split into two high schools in 2013, Ankeny Centennial quickly claimed four titles in a five-year stretch from 2014-18. "It's fantastic to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Adalyn Goodwin, Ankeny volleyball

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Junior setter Adalyn Goodwin helped the Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A state championship last week in Cedar Rapids. She had five assists in the Hawkettes' semifinal win over Pleasant Valley on Nov. 4. Goodwin racked up 102 assists, 17 digs and 10 aces on the season. She helped the Hawkettes to a 22-2 record. "She played a true sub this year … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Adalyn Goodwin, Ankeny volleyball

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lexi Stephens, Ankeny volleyball

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Junior libero Lexi Stephens helped the Ankeny volleyball team capture the fifth state championship in school history last week in Cedar Rapids. She racked up a team-high 272 digs as the Hawkettes posted a 22-2 record and finished the season with a 19-match winning streak. Stephens also had 69 assists. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference second … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lexi Stephens, Ankeny volleyball

JUMP FOR JOY!: Hawkettes, Whims capture their 5th state championships

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When Dave Whims came out of retirement in 2019 to coach the Ankeny volleyball team once again, he thought the Hawkettes had the potential to eventually win another state championship. It happened faster than he expected. Second-ranked Ankeny defeated No. 5 Iowa City Liberty in four sets to capture the Class 5A title on Thursday at the Alliant Energy … [Read more...] about JUMP FOR JOY!: Hawkettes, Whims capture their 5th state championships

HAWKETTES ARE BACK ON TOP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2009

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It took 11 years, but the Ankeny volleyball team is back on top. The second-ranked Hawkettes captured their first state championship in more than a decade by defeating No. 5 Iowa City Liberty in four sets in the Class 5A final on Thursday at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids. They won the match by scores of 25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19. "It … [Read more...] about HAWKETTES ARE BACK ON TOP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2009

‘I knew we could do it’: Ankeny outlasts Spartans, will play I.C. Liberty for crown

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Ava Reynolds watched the ball fall to the floor and then screamed with joy. The junior outside hitter blocked a Pleasant Valley spike attempt to send the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to the Class 5A championship match. "I don't even know (what I was thinking)...just excitement," said Reynolds. "I was just so proud of my team, and everybody did … [Read more...] about ‘I knew we could do it’: Ankeny outlasts Spartans, will play I.C. Liberty for crown

Hawkettes overcome Centennial’s fast start, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

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For awhile on Monday morning, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team threatened to pull off the first upset of the Class 5A state tournament. The seventh-ranked Jaguars won the opening set against crosstown rival Ankeny and then jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second set of a quarterfinal match at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids. "I think … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome Centennial’s fast start, earn return trip to 5A semifinals

Hawkettes rout undermanned S.E. Polk, earn 16th trip to state under Whims

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The road to the state tournament was an easy one for the Ankeny volleyball team. But that didn't make it any less special. The second-ranked Hawkettes--who automatically advanced to a Class 5A regional final when Marshalltown's season came to an end due to a positive COVID-19 test--earned their third consecutive trip to Cedar Rapids with a 25-4, 25-9, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rout undermanned S.E. Polk, earn 16th trip to state under Whims

Hawkettes roll past Ames, clinch outright CIML Iowa Conference crown

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The Ankeny volleyball players were determined to win the outright CIML Iowa Conference championship. The second-ranked Hawkettes accomplished their goal on Tuesday night. Ankeny rolled to a 25-10, 25-19, 25-21 victory at Ames to complete a perfect conference season. The Hawkettes finished 5-0 in the league and improved to 18-2 overall by posting their … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Ames, clinch outright CIML Iowa Conference crown

Strong serving by Baier, Hawkettes leads to sweeps over Waukee, Urbandale

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Hannah Baier spent a lot of time behind the serving line on Saturday. That was a good thing for the Ankeny volleyball team. Baier, a sophomore, completed all 44 of her serves on the day as the second-ranked Hawkettes swept Waukee and No. 9 Urbandale in a triangular meet at Ankeny. She had six aces in the win over Waukee and one more against the … [Read more...] about Strong serving by Baier, Hawkettes leads to sweeps over Waukee, Urbandale

Schrader earns 2,000th career assist as Hawkettes extend their winning streak

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The Ankeny volleyball team extended its winning streak to 11 matches on Saturday with a pair of victories at Norwalk. The second-ranked Hawkettes defeated both Norwalk and Ottumwa in the triangular meet, raising their record to 14-2 on the season. "The girls really stepped up their play after starting out slowly," said Ankeny coach Dave Whims. … [Read more...] about Schrader earns 2,000th career assist as Hawkettes extend their winning streak