Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Lexi Stephens

‘When I went to Kearney, it felt like home’: Stephens to play volleyball for Lopers

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It took awhile, but Lexi Stephens finally found the college that was the right fit for her. Ankeny's senior libero has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball next year at Nebraska-Kearney, an NCAA Division II program. "When I went to Kearney and met the team, it felt like home," said Stephens. "They welcomed me and made me feel extremely … [Read more...] about ‘When I went to Kearney, it felt like home’: Stephens to play volleyball for Lopers

‘We fell to a better team’: Hawkettes’ bid for repeat crown ends with loss to PV

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A talented squad with a lot of motivation proved to be a bad combination for the Ankeny volleyball team on Wednesday. Second-ranked Pleasant Valley posted a 25-16, 32-30, 15-25, 25-17 victory over the No. 3 Hawkettes in the Class 5A semifinals at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids. The Spartans avenged last year's five-set loss to Ankeny in the … [Read more...] about ‘We fell to a better team’: Hawkettes’ bid for repeat crown ends with loss to PV

Another 5-setter?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

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If Wednesday's semifinal matches in the Class 5A state volleyball tournament are half as entertaining as Monday's quarterfinal matches, then the fans at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse will be in for a treat. Monday's action included a pair of five-set thrillers. Third-ranked Ankeny outlasted No. 6 Urbandale despite scoring five fewer points overall, while … [Read more...] about Another 5-setter?: Ankeny Fanatic’s predictions for the Class 5A semifinals

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes outlast Urbandale, Dykstra in 5 sets

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University of Minnesota football coach PJ Fleck provided some inspiration for the Ankeny volleyball team on Monday. After the third-ranked Hawkettes lost two of the first three sets against No. 6 Urbandale in the Class 5A quarterfinals, Ankeny coach Dave Whims channeled his inner Fleck before the fourth set. "The girls were kind of down after losing … [Read more...] about SURVIVE AND ADVANCE: Hawkettes outlast Urbandale, Dykstra in 5 sets

Hawkettes roll past Iowa City High, will play Urbandale in 5A quarterfinals

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There was no chance that the Ankeny volleyball team was going to overlook Iowa City High on Tuesday. Not with a trip to the state tournament at stake. The third-ranked Hawkettes romped to a 25-12, 25-19, 25-9 victory over No. 13 City High in a Class 5A regional final at Ankeny. "It's an amazing feeling to be going back to the Cell (U.S. Cellular … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll past Iowa City High, will play Urbandale in 5A quarterfinals

‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes

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For the last two weeks, the Ankeny Centennial volleyball team focused most of its attention on third-ranked Ankeny. Not even an injury to one of their top players could prevent the No. 7 Jaguars from knocking off their crosstown rival. Centennial moved into sole possession of first place in the CIML Iowa Conference with a 28-26, 31-29, 25-23 victory at … [Read more...] about ‘We wanted it so bad’: Centennial girls sweep to victory over Hawkettes

‘DIG OR DIE MENTALITY’: Hawkettes rally in all 3 sets to sweep Urbandale

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After taking over the No. 1 spot in the Class 5A rankings, the Ankeny volleyball team passed another huge test Thursday with a sweep at No. 5 Urbandale. The Hawkettes overcame a late deficit in all three sets to post a 26-24, 25-20, 25-23 victory in the non-conference match. They improved to 15-1 on the season, while the J-Hawks' record fell to … [Read more...] about ‘DIG OR DIE MENTALITY’: Hawkettes rally in all 3 sets to sweep Urbandale

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lexi Stephens, Ankeny volleyball

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Junior libero Lexi Stephens helped the Ankeny volleyball team capture the fifth state championship in school history last week in Cedar Rapids. She racked up a team-high 272 digs as the Hawkettes posted a 22-2 record and finished the season with a 19-match winning streak. Stephens also had 69 assists. She was named to the CIML Iowa Conference second … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lexi Stephens, Ankeny volleyball