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Joe Morton

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

Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program

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Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton has resigned from his position after four years at the school. Morton compiled a 116-48 record after replacing longtime Ankeny coach Dave Whims in 2015. He guided the Hawkettes to a pair of state tournament appearances. "It's always a tough decision to walk away," said Morton. "I tried to reassure the kids when I met … [Read more...] about Ankeny volleyball coach makes ‘tough decision to walk away’ from program

Hawkettes fall to Valley for 4th time, finish season at 31-13

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The Ankeny volleyball team got off to a shaky start Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament. The Hawkettes never recovered. Third-ranked Valley jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the opening set and went on to post a 25-12, 25-17, 25-18 victory over No. 6 Ankeny at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. The Hawkettes finished the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes fall to Valley for 4th time, finish season at 31-13

Jaguars, Hawkettes ready for showdowns against WDM rivals

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The second-ranked Ankeny Centennial volleyball team will face a familiar opponent in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state tournament on Tuesday. So will sixth-ranked Ankeny. The Jaguars (38-3) will play No. 7 Dowling Catholic (29-12) at noon on Court Two at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. The match will be followed by a showdown between … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes ready for showdowns against WDM rivals

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny volleyball

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Junior outside hitter Isabelle Vacek has helped the sixth-ranked Ankeny volleyball team to a 31-12 record and a berth in this week's Class 5A state tournament at Cedar Rapids. She was named to the CIML Central Conference first team. Vacek leads the Hawkettes with 348 kills. She has also contributed 82 blocks, 134 digs and 34 aces. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Isabelle Vacek, Ankeny volleyball

Hawkettes punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids with sweep over Ames

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After being swept off its own court by Ankeny Centennial four weeks ago, the Ankeny volleyball team needed to regroup. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes have done just that, winning eight of their last nine matches and punching their ticket to the Class 5A state tournament with a 25-12, 25-20, 25-11 victory over visiting Ames in a regional final on Monday. "I … [Read more...] about Hawkettes punch their ticket to Cedar Rapids with sweep over Ames

State volleyball tourney berths on the line at Ankeny, Centennial

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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

Hawkettes roll past Marshalltown, move closer to state tourney

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The Ankeny volleyball team proved on Tuesday that the Hawkettes don't have to rely on just one or two hitters. Five different players had six or more kills as sixth-ranked Ankeny opened postseason play with a 25-11, 25-12, 25-7 victory over visiting Marshalltown in a Class 5A regional semifinal. The Hawkettes (30-12) hit .461 as a team, committing just … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Marshalltown, move closer to state tourney

Marshalltown volleyball coach is very familiar with Ankeny’s Morton

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Ankeny volleyball coach Joe Morton will be plotting strategy against a familiar colleague on Tuesday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes (29-12) will host Marshalltown (13-20) in a Class 5A regional semifinal at 7 p.m. The Bobcats are coached by Chris Brees, who has coached club volleyball with Morton. "(Morton) was my assistant in club before, so I know his … [Read more...] about Marshalltown volleyball coach is very familiar with Ankeny’s Morton

Hawkettes sweep Johnston, earn runner-up finish in conference

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The Ankeny volleyball team will take some momentum into postseason play. That is, if the Hawkettes can avoid getting rusty over the next two weeks. Sixth-ranked Ankeny completed its regular season on Tuesday with a 25-20, 25-9, 25-18 victory at No. 15 Johnston. The win allowed the Hawkettes to wrap up a second-place finish in the CIML Central … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep Johnston, earn runner-up finish in conference

Hawkettes overcome injury to Behrens, claim Bettendorf championship

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When the Ankeny volleyball team lost Kaci Behrens to an apparent concussion during the Bettendorf Invitational on Saturday, the Hawkettes didn't panic. Senior Karly Weber took over the libero position and helped sixth-ranked to a 5-1 record in the round-robin tournament. The Hawkettes, who improved to 28-12 overall, captured the Bettendorf title for the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes overcome injury to Behrens, claim Bettendorf championship

Class 5A volleyball pairings announced: Centennial, Ankeny will host semifinals

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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

Jaguars sweep past Ankeny, clinch share of Central Conference crown

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There was more at stake on Tuesday than the CIML Central Conference volleyball title. The crosstown bragging rights were also on the line. After posting a five-set victory at Ankeny last year, second-ranked Ankeny Centennial needed just three sets to defeat the No. 6 Hawkettes on their home court this season. The Jaguars rolled to a 25-20, 25-22, 25-13 … [Read more...] about Jaguars sweep past Ankeny, clinch share of Central Conference crown

Hawkettes sweep another conference foe, setting up showdown for crown

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Isabelle Vacek and the Ankeny volleyball team didn't get caught looking ahead on Tuesday. Vacek pounded 11 kills to lead the sixth-ranked Hawkettes to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-14 victory at No. 11 Ames. The win sets up a showdown against No. 2 Ankeny Centennial for the CIML Central Conference title on Oct. 2. "We were happy to walk away with a sweep--the … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep another conference foe, setting up showdown for crown

Hawkettes rally past Waverly-Shell Rock to claim Boone Invitational title

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A few days of hard work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday resulted in a tournament title for the Ankeny volleyball team on Saturday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes rallied from a one-set deficit to beat Waverly-Shell Rock, 19-25, 25-18, 15-8, in the championship match of the Boone Invitational. It was Ankeny's 10th victory over a ranked opponent--the Go-Hawks … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rally past Waverly-Shell Rock to claim Boone Invitational title

Hawkettes sweep No. 6 Urbandale, stay tied with Jaguars for league lead

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The Ankeny volleyball team appears to be on a collision course with its crosstown rival for the CIML Central Conference championship. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes are tied with No. 2 Ankeny Centennial for the league lead after sweeping No. 6 Urbandale on Tuesday at Ankeny. Both Ankeny schools are now 2-0 in the conference with three matches remaining, … [Read more...] about Hawkettes sweep No. 6 Urbandale, stay tied with Jaguars for league lead

Hawkettes open conference play with sweep over Dowling Catholic

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The rubber match turned into a mismatch. After splitting two previous meetings against sixth-ranked Dowling Catholic, the No. 10 Ankeny volleyball team rolled to a 25-11, 25-21, 25-15 victory over the visiting Maroons on Tuesday. It was the CIML Central Conference opener for both squads. "I think our excitement (helped us), just being on our home court … [Read more...] about Hawkettes open conference play with sweep over Dowling Catholic

Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in Iowa City without Schrader

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The Ankeny volleyball team was without sophomore setter Phyona Schrader during the Caroline Found Extravaganza on Saturday at Iowa City West. No problem. The 10th-ranked Hawkettes got strong performances from a pair of backups and earned a second-place finish in the tournament. They dropped a 25-15, 25-20 decision in the championship match to … [Read more...] about Hawkettes earn runner-up finish in Iowa City without Schrader

Middle hitters spark Hawkettes to sweep over Mason City

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The Ankeny volleyball team showed off its depth Tuesday en route to a non-conference win at Mason City. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes rolled to a 25-21, 25-7, 25-20 victory to raise their overall record to 8-6. "I think the highlight of the night for us was the ability to get some of our subs in the match and see them perform at a high level as well," … [Read more...] about Middle hitters spark Hawkettes to sweep over Mason City