Ankeny Fanatic

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Liz Baethke

Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star

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Former Urbandale star Kyla Inderski was inducted into the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame on Thursday during the state tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, who coached at Urbandale for 23 years before taking over the Hawkettes' program in 2023, accepted the award on behalf of her former player. … [Read more...] about Baethke accepts Hall of Fame award on behalf of Inderski, her ex-Urbandale star

‘We played as hard as we could’: Ankeny’s tourney run ends with loss to No. 1 Wolves

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It was going to take a monumental upset for the Ankeny volleyball team to advance to Thursday's championship match in the Class 5A state tournament. It didn't happen, but it wasn't due to a lack of effort. "I am so proud of this team," said Ankeny junior Marlee Ellison. "We've worked so hard all season, and we just have a really great bond. I think … [Read more...] about ‘We played as hard as we could’: Ankeny’s tourney run ends with loss to No. 1 Wolves

‘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

‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener

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The Ankeny volleyball team didn't waste much time advancing to the final round of regional play. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes scored the first eight points of the match and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 25-11, 25-10, 25-7, in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Thursday. They hit .429 on the night and racked up 10 aces while completing 73-of-74 … [Read more...] about ‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener

‘It was a complete team effort’: Hawkettes cruise past Urbandale on Senior Night

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The Ankeny volleyball team celebrated its Senior Night on Tuesday with a convincing sweep. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes closed out the regular season by cruising to a 25-8, 25-16, 25-5 victory over visiting Urbandale. "It was a fantastic night to celebrate our seniors against an opponent we are familiar with," said Ankeny coach Liz Baethke, who coached … [Read more...] about ‘It was a complete team effort’: Hawkettes cruise past Urbandale on Senior Night

‘It was exactly what we needed’: Hawkette spikers finish 3-0 at Ankeny Quadrangular

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The Ankeny volleyball team defeated one ranked opponent and outlasted two other foes in three sets to finish a perfect 3-0 in the Ankeny Quadrangular on Saturday. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes posted a 25-14, 25-19 win over Norwalk, the No. 5 team in Class 4A. They defeated Omaha (Neb.) Westside by scores of 25-18, 23-25, 15-13 and rallied for a 21-25, … [Read more...] about ‘It was exactly what we needed’: Hawkette spikers finish 3-0 at Ankeny Quadrangular

No. 1 Wolves sweep Ankeny for their 15th straight win, clinch share of CIML crown

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The Ankeny volleyball team put together a few brief runs against top-ranked Waukee Northwest on Tuesday. It's difficult, though, to sustain any kind of momentum against the powerful Wolves--who boast four Division I recruits. Northwest eventually pulled away in each set to post a 25-19, 25-18, 25-16 victory at No. 4 Ankeny, allowing the Wolves to … [Read more...] about No. 1 Wolves sweep Ankeny for their 15th straight win, clinch share of CIML crown

‘We just had no answers’: Hawkettes’ momentum stalls in loss at No. 6 Dowling

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The Ankeny volleyball team was poised to possibly move up in this week's Class 5A rankings following Thursday's impressive victory in the Jag-Hawk showdown. Now, the No. 4 Hawkettes might be fortunate to hold onto their current ranking. Ankeny traveled to Dowling Catholic on Tuesday for its fourth consecutive CIML Conference match on the road and … [Read more...] about ‘We just had no answers’: Hawkettes’ momentum stalls in loss at No. 6 Dowling

‘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

Hawkettes rely on balanced attack to dispose of CIML rival Johnston in 4 sets

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After taking a 2-1 lead in a tight matchup, Ankeny coach Liz Baethke tasked her volleyball players to have their best set of the night. And the Hawkettes delivered. Fourth-ranked Ankeny slammed the door shut on Johnston in the fourth set to clinch a 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-13) road win over the No. 11 Dragons in a … [Read more...] about Hawkettes rely on balanced attack to dispose of CIML rival Johnston in 4 sets

No. 4 Hawkettes finish 4-1 against ranked opponents at Caroline Found Invitational

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For the second Saturday in a row, the Ankeny volleyball team traveled to eastern Iowa for a tournament featuring several ranked squads. The fourth-ranked Hawkettes went 4-1 in the Caroline Found Invitational at Iowa City West, where they lost only to Clear Creek Amana in the de facto championship match. The Clippers (18-1), the No. 1 team in Class 4A, … [Read more...] about No. 4 Hawkettes finish 4-1 against ranked opponents at Caroline Found Invitational

‘We put it all on the court’: Hawkettes fall short in 5-set thriller vs. No. 4 Waukee

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The Ankeny volleyball team got off to a fast start in each of the first four sets against visiting Waukee on Tuesday. In the decisive fifth set, the fourth-ranked Warriors finally got off to a fast start of their own. Waukee jumped out to an 8-2 lead, held off a rally by No. 3 Ankeny, and eventually scored the last six points to close out a 25-21, … [Read more...] about ‘We put it all on the court’: Hawkettes fall short in 5-set thriller vs. No. 4 Waukee

‘We ran out of gas’: Ankeny drops rematch to Dike-New Hartford at Ryan Invitational

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In six sets against each other this season, the Ankeny and Dike-New Hartford volleyball teams have been separated by a total of just two points. The two squads are that evenly matched. The third-ranked Hawkettes posted a 26-28, 25-23, 15-10 win over Dike-New Hartford at the Ankeny Quadrangular on Aug. 26, but the Wolverines earned some revenge on … [Read more...] about ‘We ran out of gas’: Ankeny drops rematch to Dike-New Hartford at Ryan Invitational

‘We like being the underdog’: Hawkettes sweep No. 7 Valley girls in CIML opener

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) If there was one thing to learn from Tuesday night, it’d be to never underestimate the Ankeny volleyball team. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes returned to their home court and proceeded to cruise to a 3-0 sweep (25-13, 25-14, 15-16) over No. 7 Valley in the CIML Conference opener for both teams. “It’s awesome to get the first … [Read more...] about ‘We like being the underdog’: Hawkettes sweep No. 7 Valley girls in CIML opener

Jaguars, Hawkettes demonstrate lofty potential at Centennial’s Early Bird Invite

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Saturday's Ankeny Centennial Early Bird Invitational featured many of the state's top volleyball teams, including nine of the top 10 squads in the Class 5A preseason rankings. Both Centennial and Ankeny came away from the tournament feeling good about their performance. The fourth-ranked Jaguars advanced to the championship match with a 22-25, 27-25, … [Read more...] about Jaguars, Hawkettes demonstrate lofty potential at Centennial’s Early Bird Invite

Hawkettes top 3 foes at Ankeny Quad, while ACA looks to regroup after 0-3 start

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Whether it's the Hawkettes or the Eagles, there’s plenty of new faces stepping up into larger roles as both volleyball teams look to reload their respective rosters. Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy are both trying to fill the gaps left by big senior classes, and Ankeny’s Tuesday quadrangular featuring ACA, Dike-New … [Read more...] about Hawkettes top 3 foes at Ankeny Quad, while ACA looks to regroup after 0-3 start

‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp

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The Ankeny volleyball team has been a perennial contender in Class 5A. The Hawkettes advanced to the state tournament last season for the seventh consecutive year. They lost in the quarterfinals to CIML Conference rival Waukee Northwest, which then outlasted Ankeny Centennial in the semifinals before falling to Pleasant Valley in four sets in the Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘I see great things to come’: Hawkettes to rebuild around Ellison, Risk, Steinkamp