Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Megan Ballenger

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

by

Perhaps no high school sport has been more synonymous with the community of Ankeny than the game of volleyball. Ankeny High School captured four state championships in a six-year period from 2004-09. Following the split into two high schools in 2013, Ankeny Centennial quickly claimed four titles in a five-year stretch from 2014-18. "It's fantastic to … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny volleyball team

Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

by

Creighton volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has received all-region honors for the first time in her career. Ballenger, a senior from Ankeny, was one of four Bluejays to be honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Tuesday. She was joined on the all-East Region first team by teammates Keely Davis, Brittany Witt and East Region Player of … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger named to all-East Region first team

Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season

by

The volleyball season came to an end on Saturday night for both Megan Ballenger and Kenna Sauer. It also marked the end of Ballenger's Creighton career. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had seven kills and four blocks in 15th-ranked Creighton's five-set loss at No. 7 Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers held off a pair of … [Read more...] about Second-round NCAA losses end Ballenger’s career, Sauer’s season

Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney

by

Megan Ballenger and the Creighton volleyball team put an end to Iowa State's season while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at Minneapolis. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, had four kills and a team-high three blocks as 15th-ranked Creighton moved into the Round of 32 with an impressive sweep of the Cyclones. The Bluejays … [Read more...] about Creighton’s Ballenger, Mizzou’s Sauer advance to 2nd round of NCAA Tourney

Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

by

Former Ankeny volleyball star Megan Ballenger will be joined in this year's NCAA Tournament field by a trio of former Ankeny Centennial standouts. Freshmen Megan Lively of Central Florida, Kenna Sauer of Missouri and Ari Winters of Denver will all be making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Those three players helped the Jaguars to the Class 5A … [Read more...] about Ballenger headed to NCAA Tournament along with former Centennial trio

‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

by

As she walked across the court at D.J. Sokol Arena, possibly for the last time in front of the Creighton volleyball fans, senior middle hitter Megan Ballenger tried to soak it all in. The former Ankeny star was honored as part of the Bluejays' Senior Day following Sunday's four-set victory over DePaul that clinched Creighton's unprecedented sixth … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been one of my favorite years’: Ballenger makes the most of final season

Ballenger helps Bluejays to 3-0 mark at Cedar Falls, earns all-tourney honors

by

Megan Ballenger's final trip to her home state as a member of the Creighton volleyball team was a memorable one. Ballenger, a former Ankeny star, was named to the all-tournament team after helping Creighton to three victories at the UNI Tournament last weekend at Cedar Falls. The Bluejays posted four-set wins over No. 12 Kentucky and No. 15 USC as well as … [Read more...] about Ballenger helps Bluejays to 3-0 mark at Cedar Falls, earns all-tourney honors

‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

by

There's a reason why Megan Ballenger's teammates on the Creighton volleyball team call her "Mama Meg". The former Ankeny star has been a longtime leader for the Bluejays both on and off the court. "I do cook some food and do some other things for certain people sometimes," Ballenger said on Friday after the Bluejays played Iowa State in an exhibition … [Read more...] about ‘Mama Meg’ Ballenger ready for larger leadership role on Bluejays’ squad

Washington sweeps Creighton, ends Winters’ record-setting career

by

Jaali Winters' record-setting collegiate volleyball career came to a sudden end on Saturday in Omaha. Ninth-ranked Creighton saw its memorable 2018 season come to a close at D.J. Sokol Arena, falling in straight sets to No. 22 Washington in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies won by scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-23. Creighton had a chance … [Read more...] about Washington sweeps Creighton, ends Winters’ record-setting career

Bluejays continue Big East dominance, will host USD in NCAA opener

by

Jaali Winters was a dominant volleyball player in high school at Ankeny Centennial. She's been just as dominant for Creighton as a collegiate player in the Big East Conference. Winters was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after leading the ninth-ranked Bluejays to their fifth consecutive Big East championship title on Saturday in Omaha. … [Read more...] about Bluejays continue Big East dominance, will host USD in NCAA opener

Winters becomes Creighton’s all-time kills leader

by

Jaali Winters set another Creighton volleyball record during the 10th-ranked Bluejays' sweep over St. John's on Sunday in Omaha. The former Ankeny Centennial star became Creighton's all-time kills leader midway through the second set. She broke Leah Ratzlaff's previous mark of 1,622 kills on an attack off an assist from longtime friend and teammate Megan … [Read more...] about Winters becomes Creighton’s all-time kills leader

Record crowd watches Creighton volleyball team fall to Nebraska

by

Ankeny natives Megan Ballenger and Jaali Winters played before a record-setting volleyball crowd on Thursday. A turnout of 14,022, the largest volleyball-only crowd in NCAA regular-season history, watched 14th-ranked Creighton fall to No. 7 Nebraska at the CHI Health Center Omaha. The Bluejays (4-3) won the first two sets before Nebraska (5-1) rallied for … [Read more...] about Record crowd watches Creighton volleyball team fall to Nebraska

Ballenger named tournament MVP, BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week

by

Former Ankeny volleyball standout Megan Ballenger has been named the BIG EAST Conference Offensive Player of the Week after leading 14th-ranked Creighton to a 3-0 weekend in Dallas at the SMU DoubleTree Classic. Ballenger, a junior, was selected MVP of the tournament after helping the Bluejays to three sweeps. She averaged 3.89 points, 3.44 kills and 0.78 … [Read more...] about Ballenger named tournament MVP, BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week

Winters named Creighton’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year

by

  Creighton volleyball star Jaali Winters was the recipient of one of the major awards on Monday night at the inaugural edition of The Billy's, which celebrates the school's top individual and team accomplishments from the last year. Winters, a former Ankeny Centennial standout, was named along with Creighton baseball player Michael Emodi as … [Read more...] about Winters named Creighton’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year

Centennial to host Creighton vs. Wisconsin volleyball scrimmage on Sunday

by

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