When the state volleyball tournament tips off on Monday in Coralville, second-ranked Ankeny and No. 6 Ankeny Centennial will both take the courts at Xtream Arena with a ton of confidence. The Hawkettes (35-4), who are riding a 17-match winning streak, will face No. 10 Valley (21-20) in a Class 5A quarterfinal at noon on Court Two. They already own three … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars (and Eagles) ready to make deep runs in Coralville
Jaeden Pratt
‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
One statistic stood out from Tuesday's Class 5A regional volleyball final between sixth-ranked Ankeny Centennial and visiting Des Moines Roosevelt. The Roughriders finished with more hitting errors (16) than kills (15), resulting in a -.013 hitting percentage. "It was a great night for us," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said after her team swept … [Read more...] about ‘It was a great night’: Jaguars rout Riders, earn their 9th trip to state in 10 years
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 201
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews volleyball standouts Myra Carlson of Ankeny and Jaeden Pratt of Ankeny Centennial along with Centennial football players Easton Miller and Brody Targgart. Coldwell Banker realtor Ronda Dix also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 201
‘I think we can go all the way’: Confident Jaguars rout S.C. West in regional opener
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't spend a lot of time preparing for their first postseason opponent. The sixth-ranked Jaguars focused most of their attention over the last week on themselves. "We decided to (play) more as a team and try and do things more as a team," said Centennial sophomore Jaeden Pratt. "We knew that Sioux City (West) … [Read more...] about ‘I think we can go all the way’: Confident Jaguars rout S.C. West in regional opener
Wallace’s pep talk ignites No. 2 Ankeny to four-set victory over No. 5 Centennial
When its crosstown rival started to take control of Tuesday's match, the Ankeny volleyball team turned to Jesa Wallace for a pep talk. The senior setter sparked the second-ranked Hawkettes to a four-set victory over No. 5 Ankeny Centennial. "Jesa gave us a little pep talk and told us that we need to focus in and play more together instead of separate, … [Read more...] about Wallace’s pep talk ignites No. 2 Ankeny to four-set victory over No. 5 Centennial
‘Let’s get this done!’: Jaguars close out Johnston with 25-7 rout in Set 4
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players didn't want to go to a fifth set on Tuesday. A dominant fourth set made sure that they didn't have to. After letting the third set slip away, the sixth-ranked Jaguars regrouped and rolled to a 25-22, 25-22, 24-26, 25-7 victory over No. 8 Johnston in a CIML Conference match at the Centennial gym. "After the … [Read more...] about ‘Let’s get this done!’: Jaguars close out Johnston with 25-7 rout in Set 4
Hawkettes, Jaguars reach quarterfinals of Centennial Invite before falling
Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Invitational was like a mini-state tournament, featuring many of Iowa's best volleyball squads in the 16-team field. Fifth-ranked Ankeny and No. 11 Centennial both had some moments of spectacular play. In the end, though, the Hawkettes and Jaguars were both eliminated in the quarterfinals of the championship bracket. Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawkettes, Jaguars reach quarterfinals of Centennial Invite before falling
‘It wasn’t pretty’: Jaguars overcome slow start, avenge loss to Waukee Northwest
The Ankeny Centennial girls' basketball program is known for its trademark defense. Tuesday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest was a textbook example of how the Jaguars can win even when they are struggling to score. Seventh-ranked Centennial overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit to defeat No. 11 Northwest, 33-25, in a CIML Iowa Conference game at … [Read more...] about ‘It wasn’t pretty’: Jaguars overcome slow start, avenge loss to Waukee Northwest