CORALVILLE — Since winning its last volleyball title in 2018, Ankeny Centennial has experienced plenty of frustration when the Iowa high school state tournament lights flip on.

The last three seasons have ended in the semifinals, the two before that in the quarterfinals. A breakthrough has been needed.

The Jaguars took another step toward delivering that inside Coralville’s Xtream Arena, where Ankeny Centennial toppled Valley in straight sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-20) to reach the Class 5A championship match, where it'll play against top seed Waukee Northwest. The Jaguars’ Nov. 5 semifinal victory marked their third win over Valley this season.

“I saw how happy they were,” Ankeny Centennial coach Jessica Rinehart said. “We’ve literally been stuck in the semifinals for the last (three) y

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