Anderson back at state with new partner for new team

CEDAR RAPIDS - The more things change the more they stay the same.

For Cedar Rapids Washington junior Mitch Anderson, the partner is different, the uniform has changed, but he finds himself in a familiar position.

Anderson will make his third straight appearance in the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 2A state doubles meet, attempting to earn a third consecutive top-eight finish Friday at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center. Competition for singles and doubles will start approximately at 10 a.m.

"I think we have an opportunity to place top eight, depending on the draw," Anderson said. "I think we can get two wins (today)."

Anderson will team with fellow junior Clayton Hoyt, marking Anderson's third different partner in state doubles. The two have played most of the season, posting about 14 wins together. The pair, who are neighbors according to Anderson, have played together since last summer. Anderson's volley ability mixed with Hoyt's good baseline game produces a strong duo that feeds off one another.

"They both have great hands and reflexes," Washington coach Frank Howell said. "Their chemistry together is really good, too.

"They are able to work through things together and communicate with each other. I think it's been a really good fit."

Anderson, who attended Arthur Elementary and Franklin in the Washington school district before attending Linn-Mar as a freshman and sophomore, transferred to Washington this season. He was sixth in state doubles last year for the Lions, teaming with junior Tyler McCann, who qualified this year with Gavin Young. As a Freshman, Anderson, who played  most of that regular season with Young, played with Tim Kettering to place eighth in state doubles.

Anderson, who was 16-2 overall in doubles play and 14-1 as the Warriors' No. 4 singles player, prefers doubles play and his postseason success supports his choice.

"It suits my style a lot better than singles," Anderson said. "It's easier to get a big serve and come into the net and my volley is a lot better than my ground strokes. It's easier to play doubles."

The common denominator in either format for Anderson is success. He possesses the intangibles to be victorious and has been a key part of the Warriors' lineup.

"He was just a solid force for us," said Howell, who also praised Anderson's composure in competition. "He was a consistent cog in what we were doing. He just goes out there and wins."

One of the few times he hasn't won was against McCann and Young in the district semifinals. Anderson could face his former partners again this weekend.

"It's kind of odd," Anderson said. "I used to play with them."

In a crazy season that opened with the tragic loss of the Warriors' head coach Dave Meyer and had the Warriors top doubles team, 2010 state runners-up Charlie Hammond and Mitch Blades, disqualified at district, allowing Anderson and Hoyt to advance, a strong finish will be a good way to end the year.

"We have the ability to perform," Anderson said. "If we just play solid tennis, I think it will be a positive no matter what."

Similar to McCann and Anderson, Iowa City west's Kyle Appel will attempt a second-straight top-six finish. Appel, who won the district singles title at Veterans Tennis Center, was sixth last year as a freshman. He is joined by Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Riley Galbraith. The Cougars junior is making his first state meet appearance, placing second to Appel at district to qualify.

The 1A tournament will be held at Byrne's Park tennis Complex in Waterloo. The first two rounds and first two rounds of consolations will be held Friday with both meets concluding Saturday.