Just one more win is all that separates the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial volleyball teams from earning a trip to next week's Class 5A state tournament. Both squads will host a regional final on Monday at 7 p.m. The second-ranked Jaguars (37-3) will face Sioux City East (20-20), while the No. 6 Hawkettes (30-12) will meet Ames (12-23) for the third time … [Read more...] about State volleyball tourney berths on the line at Ankeny, Centennial
Jessica Rinehart
Jaguars sweep Roosevelt, will host S.C. East in regional final
As far as the Ankeny Centennial volleyball players were concerned, it didn't really matter who was on the other side of the net on Tuesday. The goal for the Jaguars was simply to play their game. Mission accomplished. Second-ranked Centennial rolled to a 25-7, 25-11, 25-18 victory over visiting Des Moines Roosevelt in a Class 5A regional semifinal. … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Roosevelt, will host S.C. East in regional final
Jaguars to begin postseason run against Des Moines Roosevelt
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball players have had a full week to prepare for postseason play. The second-ranked Jaguars (36-3) closed out the regular season on Oct. 15 with a five-set loss to Omaha Marian, the No. 4 team in Nebraska's Class A. The Crusaders have won four of the last five Class A titles. "We got a competitive match, and that's what we … [Read more...] about Jaguars to begin postseason run against Des Moines Roosevelt
Jaguars ‘can only go up from here’ after losing to Omaha Marian
If the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team goes on to win the Class 5A state title, none of the Jaguars will care about Monday's loss to Omaha (Neb.) Marian. Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart certainly won't. She scheduled the match because she wanted to challenge her players before the start of tournament play. "We wanted to see if there were things we … [Read more...] about Jaguars ‘can only go up from here’ after losing to Omaha Marian
Jaguars capture outright CIML Central Conference championship
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team captured the outright CIML Central Conference crown on Tuesday. Now, the Jaguars can focus on winning the championship that they really want--the Class 5A state title. "One of our team's goals this season was to win the conference, so we stepped on the court to do just that," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said … [Read more...] about Jaguars capture outright CIML Central Conference championship
Jaguars raise their game to new level, capture Westside Invite crown
If the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team wants to win a fourth state title in five years, the Jaguars will have to take their game to a higher level. On Saturday, they may have done just that. Second-ranked Centennial went a perfect 6-0 on the day to capture the Westside Invitational title at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Jaguars posted a 25-16, 25-19 … [Read more...] about Jaguars raise their game to new level, capture Westside Invite crown
Class 5A volleyball pairings announced: Centennial, Ankeny will host semifinals
The road to Cedar Rapids will go through Ankeny for both of Ankeny's ranked volleyball teams. Neither second-ranked Ankeny Centennial nor No. 6 Ankeny will have to leave town in order to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament. "When it came out (Tuesday), the girls had (the pairings) pulled up on the bus," Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said on … [Read more...] about Class 5A volleyball pairings announced: Centennial, Ankeny will host semifinals
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 18
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by the Ankeny office of Iowa Realty. Volleyball coaches Jessica Rinehart of Ankeny Centennial and Joe Morton of Ankeny stopped by to visit with Dan Holm and to break down the Jaguars' victory in the crosstown showdown on Tuesday. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 18
Rinehart excited about Jaguars’ potential despite loss to Valley
Don't be surprised if the Ankeny Centennial and Valley volleyball teams meet again later this season at the Class 5A state tournament. The two squads have a habit of running into each other. The third-ranked Tigers rallied from a one-set deficit to beat No. 2 Centennial, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10, in the championship match of the Urbandale Invitational on … [Read more...] about Rinehart excited about Jaguars’ potential despite loss to Valley
Sauer smashes 24 kills, leads Jaguars past Dowling Catholic
On a team with four Division I players, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball squad is hardly a one-man unit. On Tuesday, though, it may have seemed that way to visiting Dowling Catholic. Kenna Sauer pounded 24 of her team's 40 kills to lead the second-ranked Jaguars to a sweep over No. 7 Dowling. She had just three hitting errors in 43 total attacks for a … [Read more...] about Sauer smashes 24 kills, leads Jaguars past Dowling Catholic
Winters leads Centennial to sweep over Little Cyclones
Senior Ari Winters wears No. 17 on her Ankeny Centennial volleyball uniform. On Tuesday, Winters had a huge match as the second-ranked Jaguars rolled to their 17th consecutive victory. She pounded 10 kills and posted a .600 hitting percentage to lead Centennial to a 25-11, 25-9, 25-10 triumph over visiting Ames. Winters also had a pair of blocks and … [Read more...] about Winters leads Centennial to sweep over Little Cyclones
Streaks continue: Jags win 16th straight, hand Riders 6th loss in row
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team entered Thursday's non-conference match at Des Moines Roosevelt on a long winning streak. The Roughriders, meanwhile, were looking to end a losing skid. Both streaks are still intact. The second-ranked Jaguars rolled to a 25-14, 25-13, 25-19 victory for their 16th consecutive win. They are now 21-1 on the … [Read more...] about Streaks continue: Jags win 16th straight, hand Riders 6th loss in row
Jaguars sweep past Johnston in Central Conference opener
The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team earned its 20th victory of the season on Tuesday with a sweep at No. 13 Johnston in its CIML Central Conference opener. The Jaguars posted a 25-8, 25-20, 25-18 triumph for their 15th consecutive win. They are now 20-1 on the season, while Johnston's record dropped to 5-5. "I thought we had an ok … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep past Johnston in Central Conference opener
Jaguars survive gauntlet of top-10 foes to capture tournament title
There aren't too many volleyball teams who could have survived the gauntlet of top-10 opponents that Ankeny Centennial faced on Saturday in the Metro Invitational at Southeast Polk. The second-ranked Jaguars, though, did just fine. Centennial defeated four top-10 foes en route to winning the tournament for the third straight year. The Jaguars rallied … [Read more...] about Jaguars survive gauntlet of top-10 foes to capture tournament title
Jones, Wallestad step up, help Jaguars to Little Hawk Invite crown
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team was already playing without standout middle hitter Devyn Robinson. Then, senior middle hitter Megan Lively went down with an injury. No worries. The second-ranked Jaguars cruised to the championship of the Little Hawk Invitational on Saturday at Iowa City High, despite missing two of their top players. "I … [Read more...] about Jones, Wallestad step up, help Jaguars to Little Hawk Invite crown
Jaguars sweep Omaha Skutt Catholic, the No. 13 team in nation
When Ankeny Centennial volleyball coach Jessica Rinehart scheduled a match against one of the nation's top teams, she was simply looking for a way to challenge the Jaguars. Coming away with a victory was a bonus. Centennial, the No. 1 team in Class 5A, posted a 25-22, 25-23, 25-15 win over visiting Skutt Catholic of Omaha on Tuesday. Skutt Catholic, … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep Omaha Skutt Catholic, the No. 13 team in nation
Without Robinson, Jaguars fall to Cedar Falls at Centennial Invite
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team proved on Saturday that it can play pretty well without one of its best players. The top-ranked Jaguars advanced to the championship match of the Centennial Early Bird Invitational before dropping a 25-19, 25-20 decision to No. 5 Cedar Falls, the defending Class 5A state champion. The Tigers trailed in the second set, … [Read more...] about Without Robinson, Jaguars fall to Cedar Falls at Centennial Invite
Jaguars on a mission to regain Class 5A volleyball crown
Kenna Sauer wasn't herself on the volleyball court last year. After breaking her foot early in the season, the Ankeny Centennial outside hitter tried to come back later, but she didn't resemble the player who was named the captain of the Class 5A all-tournament team as a sophomore. She had just 105 kills as the Jaguars reached the Class 5A semifinals … [Read more...] about Jaguars on a mission to regain Class 5A volleyball crown
Centennial’s Robinson earns spot on USA Volleyball youth national team
Ankeny Centennial's Devyn Robinson isn't just one of the state's best volleyball players. She is one of the top middle hitters in the country. Robinson has been selected to play on the USA Volleyball youth national team. Only 12 girls from across the nation made the final roster. The USA squad will be competing in the 2018 NORCECA Girls' U18 … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Robinson earns spot on USA Volleyball youth national team
Centennial to host Creighton vs. Wisconsin volleyball scrimmage on Sunday
A scrimmage between NCAA Division I volleyball powers Creighton and Wisconsin will be held on Sunday at Ankeny Centennial, beginning at 1 p.m. Admission is free. Creighton's roster includes former Ankeny standout Megan Ballenger and former Centennial star Jaali Winters. They helped the Bluejays to their fourth consecutive Big East Conference … [Read more...] about Centennial to host Creighton vs. Wisconsin volleyball scrimmage on Sunday