Ankeny Fanatic

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Hailey Wiederin

After leading Ankeny to Class 5A semis, Wiederin earns spot on all-tourney team

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Junior outside hitter Hailey Wiederin has been named to the Class 5A all-tournament team after leading the Ankeny volleyball team to the state tournament semifinals for the second straight year at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Wiederin had 24 kills and 17 digs in the Hawkettes' four-set victory over Ankeny Centennial in the quarterfinals on Monday. She then … [Read more...] about After leading Ankeny to Class 5A semis, Wiederin earns spot on all-tourney team

‘We just came up short’: Hawkettes rally from 2-set deficit before falling to DC-G

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There was nothing the Ankeny volleyball players wanted more than to be the team that dethroned top-ranked Waukee Northwest as the Class 5A state champion. But that dream fell short by one match and a few points. No. 3 Ankeny rallied from a two-set deficit to force a fifth set against No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes before … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up short’: Hawkettes rally from 2-set deficit before falling to DC-G

‘We were already exhausted enough’: Hawkettes close out Centennial in 4 sets

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The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team has made some tremendous strides over the last several weeks. Its crosstown rival proved on Monday, though, that it has improved just as much. Third-ranked Ankeny held off a valiant effort by No. 6 Centennial to post a 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 27-25 victory in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament at … [Read more...] about ‘We were already exhausted enough’: Hawkettes close out Centennial in 4 sets

‘We knew we’d be back’: Ankeny girls qualify for state for 9th consecutive year

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny volleyball team never envisioned a 2026 season that wouldn't end on the courts at Xtream Arena. That officially came to fruition on Tuesday and sets up a big crosstown rivalry matchup in Coralville. Third-ranked Ankeny used a dominant start to sweep No. 13 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 25-7, 25-19, 25-23, in a Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we’d be back’: Ankeny girls qualify for state for 9th consecutive year

Hawkettes sweep past C.R. Jefferson with help in practice from junior varsity team

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With eight days off before the start of postseason play, Ankeny volleyball coach Liz Baethke needed to find a way to keep her team sharp. She didn't have to look very far. Baethke relied on some intrasquad scrimmages to prevent any rust for the third-ranked Hawkettes, who began their quest for another state tournament berth with a 25-10, 25-11, 25-10 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep past C.R. Jefferson with help in practice from junior varsity team

‘They’re good, but are beatable’: Ankeny shows some fight in loss to No. 1 Wolves

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The Ankeny volleyball team may have found a glimmer of hope from the third set of Thursday's loss to Waukee Northwest. Even though the fourth-ranked Hawkettes were swept on their home court in a showdown for the CIML Conference lead, No. 1 Northwest was pushed to the limit in Set 3 before closing out a 25-15, 25-20, 31-29 victory. "They're a beatable … [Read more...] about ‘They’re good, but are beatable’: Ankeny shows some fight in loss to No. 1 Wolves

‘I think we can do a lot more’: Hawkettes dominate last 3 sets, rally past Centennial

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A year ago, the Ankeny volleyball team posted a four-set victory at Ankeny Centennial to defeat its crosstown rival for the first time since 2022. On Tuesday, the third-ranked Hawkettes did it again--in remarkably similar fashion. Ankeny overcame a one-set deficit to post a 15-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-14 victory at No. 6 Centennial. The Hawkettes also … [Read more...] about ‘I think we can do a lot more’: Hawkettes dominate last 3 sets, rally past Centennial

Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) The Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball teams were both ranked among the top teams in their respective classes coming into the 2026 season. A winner-take-all third set was needed on Tuesday night to decide which of the two squads was going to open its season with a 2-0 record. The Hawkettes pulled out a 15-13 … [Read more...] about Hawkettes outlast Ankeny Christian in 3 sets after both teams sweep North Polk

‘It’s just the best feeling’: Hawkettes oust Dowling in 5-set thriller, earn shot at NW

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Quinn Roush wasn't a major part of the Ankeny volleyball team's offensive attack during Monday's Class 5A quarterfinals at Xtream Arena in Coralville. But the junior middle hitter picked the perfect time to pound just her second kill of the day. Roush put the ball down to give the sixth-ranked Hawkettes a thrilling five-set victory over No. 5 Dowling … [Read more...] about ‘It’s just the best feeling’: Hawkettes oust Dowling in 5-set thriller, earn shot at NW

‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) A lot has changed on Ankeny’s volleyball roster between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but the Hawkettes' tradition of reaching the Class 5A state tournament hasn’t changed. Ankeny faced heavy losses to graduation, simply reloaded its roster and officially punched its ticket right back to Coralville. The sixth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy

‘It feels amazing!’: Hawkettes earn first victory over Centennial since 2022 season

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It’s been 1,087 days since the Ankeny volleyball team managed to defeat crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, and the Hawkettes knew they were due for a win. Now that streak has finally come to an end. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes dropped the first set on Thursday before rallying to knock off No. 3 Centennial in four sets … [Read more...] about ‘It feels amazing!’: Hawkettes earn first victory over Centennial since 2022 season