Even without two of its varsity regulars, the Ankeny girls' tennis team rolled to a 9-2 victory at Southeast Polk in a CIML Conference matchup on Tuesday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes played without Kira Smith and Payton Blume, who are both battling injuries. "Everyone had to step up their game," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. Ankeny won four of the … [Read more...] about Short-handed Ankeny girls pick up slack, romp to 9-2 win at S.E. Polk
Steve Smith
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 221
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews girls' tennis coaches Alli Gustafson of Ankeny Centennial and Steve Smith of Ankeny about the 2023 season thus far. Coldwell Banker realtor Tom Butler also makes an appearance. … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 221
Showing a lot of progress, Hawkettes battle Johnston to wire before falling, 6-5
Coach Steve Smith tried to look on the bright side after his ninth-ranked Ankeny girls' tennis team dropped a 6-5 decision at No. 8 Johnston on Tuesday. "We lost under our conference rules, but we would have won 5-4 under the state's postseason format with six singles and three doubles matches," Smith said. "I'm not real big on moral victories, but it's a … [Read more...] about Showing a lot of progress, Hawkettes battle Johnston to wire before falling, 6-5
‘We just got outcompeted’: Hawkettes lose 7 tiebreakers, fall to Waukee
The Ankeny girls' tennis team finally opened its season on Monday. The ninth-ranked Hawkettes discovered that they still have some more work to do. Visiting Waukee bounced back from an 11-0 loss to No. 6 Ankeny Centennial on Thursday by defeating Ankeny, 6-5, in a CIML Conference dual meet on the same courts at Prairie Ridge. The Warriors (1-1) won all … [Read more...] about ‘We just got outcompeted’: Hawkettes lose 7 tiebreakers, fall to Waukee
Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes
The ceiling appears to be very high for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes return several varsity regulars from last year's squad that posted a 14-3 record. They advanced to the Class 2A state team tournament before dropping a 5-0 decision in the opening round to eventual champion Dowling Catholic, which handed Ankeny two of its three … [Read more...] about Talented Ankeny girls focusing more on process goals rather than outcomes