The Ankeny girls' tennis team defeated two of its three opponents at the Ankeny Invitational on Friday. The Hawkettes opened the round-robin event with a 9-2 victory over Marshalltown. They defeated the Bobcats by the same score on April 29 at Marshalltown. Ankeny then followed with an 8-3 win over Southeast Polk before losing to Urbandale, 10-1, in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes finish 2-1 at Ankeny Invite, improve overall record to 7-6
Steve Smith
Ames girls win several close matches in 9-2 victory over Hawkettes
The Ankeny girls' tennis team is still trying to get over the hump. The Hawkettes lost several close matches to visiting Ames and dropped a 9-2 decision in a CIML Iowa Conference dual meet on Tuesday. "The meet once again came down to us not winning the close matches," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "We lost three match tiebreakers by a combined seven … [Read more...] about Ames girls win several close matches in 9-2 victory over Hawkettes
Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sydney Otto, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Sophomore Sydney Otto has helped the Ankeny girls' tennis team to a 4-5 record. Otto played No. 3 doubles at the first meet of the season, then joined the singles lineup as well the following week and has played at the No. 4, 5 and 6 positions for the Hawkettes. "Sydney picked up a racket for the first time in February," said Ankeny coach Steve … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sydney Otto, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Hawkettes keep their momentum going with 9-2 win at Marshalltown
Even without one of its top players, the Ankeny girls' tennis team rolled to a 9-2 victory at Marshalltown on Thursday. The Hawkettes played without senior Abby Johnson. She is the squad's No. 2 singles player and part of the No. 1 doubles team. "Abby was gone for orientation in Aberdeen, (S.D.)," Ankeny coach Steve Smith said of Johnson, who will play … [Read more...] about Hawkettes keep their momentum going with 9-2 win at Marshalltown
‘Everyone was watching’: Hawkettes win final match for 6-5 victory over Roosevelt
The Ankeny girls' tennis team got a much-needed victory on Tuesday. And it came in thrilling fashion. After losing four of their previous five meets, the Hawkettes edged visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, 6-5, in a non-conference matchup. The meet came down to the final match at No. 1 doubles, where the Ankeny duo of Megan Sommerfeld and Abby Johnson … [Read more...] about ‘Everyone was watching’: Hawkettes win final match for 6-5 victory over Roosevelt
The gauntlet ends: Hawkettes fall to another one of state’s top teams
It's been a tough two-week stretch for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. The Hawkettes dropped to 2-4 on the season with an 11-0 loss to visiting Valley on Monday. All four of their losses have come in the last 14 days via shutout against some of the state's top teams. Ankeny fell to Waukee, Dowling Catholic and Ankeny Centennial before losing to the … [Read more...] about The gauntlet ends: Hawkettes fall to another one of state’s top teams
Dowling girls show why Ankeny coach has been voting them No. 1 every week
Ankeny girls' tennis coach Steve Smith has been voting Dowling Catholic No. 1 in the Class 2A rankings every week. The Maroons showed why on Tuesday. Dowling rolled to an 11-0 victory over the visiting Hawkettes in a non-conference meet. "Dowling’s top four (players) are the best 1-4 in the state," Smith said. "I’ve coached all of them either at … [Read more...] about Dowling girls show why Ankeny coach has been voting them No. 1 every week
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Sommerfeld, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Senior Megan Sommerfeld is the No. 1 player for the Ankeny girls' tennis team. She has helped the Hawkettes to a 2-1 record. Sommerfeld has posted a 2-1 mark in singles. She has also teamed up with Abby Johnson for a 4-2 record at No. 1 doubles. Here is some inside info on Sommerfeld: How is the season going thus far? I feel like the season has … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Megan Sommerfeld, Ankeny girls’ tennis
Hawkettes roll to victory at Fort Dodge with ‘murderer’s row’ coming up next
The Ankeny girls' tennis team may have spent more time on the bus Thursday than it did on the courts. The Hawkettes traveled to Fort Dodge for their CIML Iowa Conference opener, and they came away with a dominant 11-0 victory. They won all 11 matches in straight sets, losing a combined total of just 29 games on the day. "Our depth really was evident in … [Read more...] about Hawkettes roll to victory at Fort Dodge with ‘murderer’s row’ coming up next
‘I’m proud of how our team competed’: Hawkettes tumble to No. 10 Waukee
The Ankeny girls' tennis team ran into one of the state's top squads on Tuesday. Visiting Waukee, the No. 10 team in Class 2A, posted a 11-0 victory at the Prairie Ridge tennis courts. The Warriors improved to 2-0 on the season, while Ankeny's record dropped to 1-1. "I knew we had a tough matchup with Waukee as their top 10 players take lessons year … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of how our team competed’: Hawkettes tumble to No. 10 Waukee
‘I really like this group of young ladies’: Hawkettes show progress at Boone
The Ankeny girls' tennis team earned a third-place finish in the Boone Invitational on Friday. Indianola won the four-team tournament. Ames was second, followed by Ankeny and the host Toreadors. "I really like this group of young ladies," said Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "We identified some areas where we need improvement, and we’ll work on those this … [Read more...] about ‘I really like this group of young ladies’: Hawkettes show progress at Boone
Ankeny girls romp past East/Hoover in Smith’s coaching debut
Many of the Ankeny girls' tennis players entered Tuesday's season-opening meet without any varsity experience. The Hawkettes ended the non-conference meet at Des Moines East/Hoover with a 10-1 victory--and some much-needed seasoning. "It was great to get these young ladies some experience," said new Ankeny coach Steve Smith. "I was proud of how they … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls romp past East/Hoover in Smith’s coaching debut
Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith
There is no shortage of players on the Ankeny girls' tennis team. New head coach Steve Smith said he currently has about 100 girls on the preseason roster. "But from my understanding from past years, that could end up being anywhere between 50 and 90 girls that participate once practices start," Smith said. "So I guess we'll find out next … [Read more...] about Hawkettes will focus on “the process” in their first season under Smith
Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens
The timing was just right for Ankeny girls' tennis coach Katie Owens to step down from her position. It was also the perfect time for Ankeny boys' coach Steve Smith to replace her. Smith has been named the successor to Owens, who coached the Hawkettes from 2014-20. He will now get an opportunity to coach his daughter, Kira, who is currently an eighth … [Read more...] about Ankeny boys’ tennis coach Smith to replace girls’ coach Owens
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team
The Ankeny boys' tennis program dates back to the early 1970s. The biggest highlight for the Hawks over the last 50 years came nearly two decades ago. In 2003, head coach Dennis Hoefle guided Ankeny to the best season in school history. The Hawks advanced to the state team tournament for the first time ever and went on to capture the Class 2A … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny boys’ tennis team
Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis
Senior Cade Davis is the top returning player for the Ankeny boys' tennis team. The Wartburg recruit was the squad's No. 1 singles player as a junior, helping the Hawks to a 3-9 record. Davis was also a member of the Ankeny boys' basketball team. The Hawks captured the Class 4A state title last month. Here is some inside info on Davis: We've had … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Cade Davis, Ankeny boys’ tennis
‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19
Ashley Harrington found out during her spring break trip to the Dominican Republic that her final soccer season at Ankeny High School could be in jeopardy. "I didn't truly realize this pandemic could affect the season until I got an email from (coach) Simon (Brown) regarding the IGHSAU restrictions," Harrington said. "I'm not currently in the U.S. so I … [Read more...] about ‘The great ones adapt’: Spring sports athletes, coaches dealing with COVID-19
Hawks place 3rd at district tourney, then fall to Johnston in substate match
The season came to an end on Saturday for the Ankeny boys' tennis team, but not before the Hawks put up a good fight. Ankeny dropped a 5-1 decision at Johnston in a preliminary substate match. The Hawks finished with a 3-9 record. The Dragons (8-3), who advanced to a Class 2A substate team tournament on May 18 at Valley, had posted an 11-0 victory over … [Read more...] about Hawks place 3rd at district tourney, then fall to Johnston in substate match
Future shines bright as Hawks honor seniors on their night
The Ankeny boys' tennis team celebrated its Senior Night on Thursday with an 11-0 victory at Des Moines Hoover. The Hawks raised their overall record to 3-8. "Coach Feve and I wanted to give a special recognition to our two amazing seniors—Jake McCann and Cameron Bush—for all of their hard work, contributions to the team and positive impact they’ve had on … [Read more...] about Future shines bright as Hawks honor seniors on their night
Hawks fall to Johnston, but will see Dragons again at district tourney
The Ankeny boys' tennis team got another chance to see CIML rival Johnston on Wednesday. The visiting Dragons posted an 11-0 victory in a Central Conference dual meet, but the two teams could see each other again in a Class 2A district tournament on May 8 at Johnston. "Johnston has a great team, and they played great across the board," said Ankeny … [Read more...] about Hawks fall to Johnston, but will see Dragons again at district tourney