Boys’ tennis players, teams to watch in 2016

Area boys' tennis players to watch this spring.

Max Gruber, sr., Iowa City High — 2015 first team all-MVC.

Rami Hemaidan, so., C.R. Kennedy — 2015 first team all-MVC and Class 2A singles state quarterfinalist.

Joe Hoff, jr., I.C. High — Two-time first team all-MVC. 2015 2A doubles state quarterfinalist.

Jackson Hoyt, sr., C.R. Washington — 2015 MVC Mississippi Athlete of the Year. Two-time first team all-MVC. Two-time 2A doubles state semifinalist (2013 and 2015).

Jiung Jung, jr., Iowa City West — 2A singles state champion last season, fourth in 2014. 2015 MVC Valley Athlete of the Year. Two-time first team all-MVC.

Jon Lansing, so., C.R. Xavier — Class 1A doubles state qualifier last season.

Vineel Mallavarapu, sr., Cedar Falls – 2015 first team all-MVC and Class 2A singles state qualifier.

Parker Muller, jr., C.R. Washington — First team all-MVC and 2A singles state qualifier last season.

Cole Schneider, jr., Iowa City West — 2A doubles state quarterfinalist last season.

Rami Sheetz, fr., C.R. Washington — Freshman who is expected to challenge for the second spot in the Warriors' lineup.

Area boys' teams to watch.

Cedar Rapids Washington — Talented freshmen Rami Sheetz and Ty Sherman bolster a roster that returns six of the top seven players from last season, led by MVC Mississippi Athlete of the Year Jackson Hoyt.

Iowa City High — The Little Hawks return their three top players from last season, including 6-foot-4 junior Joe Hoff, doubles partner Greg Hensley and all-MVC first teamer Max Gruber.

Iowa City West — Defending Class 2A singles state champion Jiung Jung leads the Trojans, who will try to reach the state title match for the sixth-straight season and earn a fourth state championship in five years. Junior Cole Schenider moves up to No. 2 singles, and impact freshmen Jack Wenzel and Sam Shin join a considerable list of returners from last season's state runner-up squad.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com