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Dave Whims

Hawkettes ‘refuse to let a ball drop’ in season-ending win over Johnston

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It was almost a flawless performance. The fourth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team closed out the regular season on Tuesday with a 25-14, 25-18, 25-9 victory over visiting Johnston. The Hawkettes had just four hitting errors in the match while posting a .377 hitting percentage. In addition, Ankeny blocked or dug up nearly every ball that came over the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes ‘refuse to let a ball drop’ in season-ending win over Johnston

Hawkettes extend winning streak, claim 4th straight Bettendorf Invitational title

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On any given night, a different player can step up big for the Ankeny volleyball team. On Saturday, it was Lauren Willets' turn. The senior played a key role as the fourth-ranked Hawkettes defeated No. 11 Bettendorf, 25-22, 18-25, 15-9, to win the Bettendorf Invitational for the fourth straight year. "Lauren stepped up big for us in the finals with … [Read more...] about Hawkettes extend winning streak, claim 4th straight Bettendorf Invitational title

Fast start ignites Ankeny volleyball team to sweep over rival Jaguars

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Whenever Ankeny Centennial's Devyn Robinson pounded a kill on Tuesday night, the Ankeny volleyball team usually responded with one or two of its own. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes overcame Robinson's match-high 17 kills to post a 25-14, 25-20, 25-14 victory at No. 9 Centennial. It was Ankeny's first win over the Jaguars since 2016. "Whenever Devyn got a … [Read more...] about Fast start ignites Ankeny volleyball team to sweep over rival Jaguars

Hawkettes commit just 6 hitting errors en route to sweep over Ames

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It didn't matter which player Ankeny volleyball coach Dave Whims put on the court Tuesday night. The Hawkettes continued to sizzle. Fourth-ranked Ankeny dominated the opening set and went on to sweep visiting Ames, 25-6, 25-11, 25-9, in a CIML Central Conference match. The Hawkettes improved to 2-1 in the league and 27-5 overall, while Ames' records … [Read more...] about Hawkettes commit just 6 hitting errors en route to sweep over Ames

Hawkettes outlast Waverly-Shell Rock to defend Boone Invitational title

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The Ankeny volleyball team continued its winning ways on Saturday by claiming the Boone Invitational title for the second straight year. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes rallied for a 21-25, 25-18, 15-11 victory over Waverly-Shell Rock in the championship match. Waverly-Shell Rock, the No. 7 team in Class 4A, also lost to Ankeny in last year's final after … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Waverly-Shell Rock to defend Boone Invitational title

Hawkettes sweep past Urbandale, but lose Scheib to ankle injury

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The Ankeny volleyball team swept its way to a victory on Tuesday but lost one of its key players in the process. Junior middle hitter McKenna Scheib went down with an injury during the third-ranked Hawkettes' 25-19, 25-19, 25-15 win at Urbandale. She is not expected to play in the Boone Invitational on Saturday. "It was on a play at the net," said … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep past Urbandale, but lose Scheib to ankle injury

Hawkettes top Lincoln at Waukee tourney for Whims’ 1,000th career win

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Dave Whims wanted to reach his coaching milestone as quickly as possible. His Ankeny volleyball players made sure that he did. The third-ranked Hawkettes routed Des Moines Lincoln, 21-6, 21-11, in their opening match at the Waukee Invitational on Saturday. It was the 1,000th victory of Whims' coaching career. "We settled that request quickly," Whims … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top Lincoln at Waukee tourney for Whims’ 1,000th career win

Maroons sweep Ankeny, prevent Whims from reaching 1,000-victory mark

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The Dowling Catholic volleyball players had no desire to be a part of Dave Whims' 1,000th career win. The legendary Ankeny coach was hoping to reach the historic milestone on Tuesday, but the host Maroons had some other ideas. Fifth-ranked Dowling avenged an earlier loss with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-22 victory over the No. 2 Hawkettes in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Maroons sweep Ankeny, prevent Whims from reaching 1,000-victory mark

Hawkettes place 2nd at tournament as Whims closes in on milestone

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Somehow, the Ankeny volleyball team nearly captured the title at the Caroline Found Extravaganza on Saturday at Iowa City West. The second-ranked Hawkettes played without all-state setter Phyona Schrader, who missed the tournament in order to take the ACT test. They also lost two other key players, outside hitter Isabelle Vacek and libero Kaci Behrens, to … [Read more...] about Hawkettes place 2nd at tournament as Whims closes in on milestone

Hawkettes continue their winning ways with victory over Mason City

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It would have been easy for the Ankeny volleyball team to have a letdown on Tuesday night. No such worries. Coming off a perfect 5-0 day at the Marge White Valley Invitational on Saturday, the second-ranked Hawkettes continued their winning ways with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-23 victory over visiting Mason City. They improved to 12-1 on the season, while the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes continue their winning ways with victory over Mason City

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kaci Behrens, Ankeny volleyball

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Senior libero Kaci Behrens has helped the second-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to an 11-1 record. She leads the team with 66 digs. On Saturday, Behrens racked up 19 digs as the Hawkettes won all five of their matches--three of them against fellow top-five opponents--to capture the Marj White Valley Invitational title. She also completed 24-of-25 serves … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Kaci Behrens, Ankeny volleyball

Hawkettes defeat three other top-5 foes, capture Valley Invitational crown

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After moving up to the No. 2 spot in the latest Class 5A rankings, the Ankeny volleyball team proved on Saturday that it deserves such a lofty perch. The Hawkettes won all five of their matches--three of them against the trio of teams ranked immediately below them--to win the Marj White Valley Invitational title. They raised their record to 11-1 on the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes defeat three other top-5 foes, capture Valley Invitational crown

Hawkettes lose just 13 points while sweeping Des Moines East

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It didn't take long for the Ankeny volleyball team to earn its sixth victory of the season. The third-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 25-5, 25-5, 25-3 win at Des Moines East on Tuesday. They raised their record to 6-1, while the Scarlets fell to 0-2. "We made quick work of them," said Ankeny coach Dave Whims. "We came out strong and maintained the effort … [Read more...] about Hawkettes lose just 13 points while sweeping Des Moines East

Hawkettes advance to semifinals before falling to No. 1 Cedar Falls

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational provided another opportunity for the Ankeny volleyball players to test themselves. After knocking off fifth-ranked Waukee in their season opener on Aug. 27, the No. 3 Hawkettes returned to action on Saturday and went 4-1 at Centennial's tournament. They advanced to the semifinals before dropping a 25-23, 25-12 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes advance to semifinals before falling to No. 1 Cedar Falls

‘It was very nerve-racking’: Hawkettes outlast Waukee in 5 sets in opener

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Dave Whims and his Ankeny volleyball players are still getting used to each other. On Tuesday, it proved to be a winning combination. The third-ranked Hawkettes rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat No. 5 Waukee, 19-25, 27-25, 27-29, 25-18, 15-9, in a season-opening match at Ankeny. It was the first win for Whims since the 2014 season, when he retired … [Read more...] about ‘It was very nerve-racking’: Hawkettes outlast Waukee in 5 sets in opener

Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad

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A familiar face will be back on the bench Tuesday when the Ankeny volleyball team opens its season against visiting Waukee. Legendary coach Dave Whims is beginning his second stint as the Hawkettes' head coach. He took over the program following the departure of Joe Morton, who guided Ankeny to a 31-13 record and a state tournament appearance last … [Read more...] about Hall of Famer Whims returns to coach loaded Ankeny volleyball squad

Ankeny libero Behrens to play volleyball at William Jewell College

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Ankeny volleyball standout Kaci Behrens won't have the pressure of her future plans weighing on her mind when she takes the court this fall. The senior libero announced via Twitter earlier this week that she has made a verbal commitment. "Super pumped to announce my commitment to play college volleyball and further my academic career at William … [Read more...] about Ankeny libero Behrens to play volleyball at William Jewell College

HE’S BAAAAAACK: Hall of Fame Coach Whims returns to Ankeny volleyball post

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When Dave Whims retired as Ankeny's volleyball coach in 2014, he left as the state's all-time leader in coaching victories with 982. Whims was only 18 wins shy of the 1,000-victory career mark, but it appeared that he would not be able to reach the milestone. Now, he probably will. Whims has come out of retirement to again coach the Ankeny … [Read more...] about HE’S BAAAAAACK: Hall of Fame Coach Whims returns to Ankeny volleyball post