Boys’ tennis 2017: Teams, players to watch

Here are The Gazette-area teams and players to watch during the 2017 boys' tennis season.

Teams to watch:

Cedar Rapids Washington —

The second-ranked Warriors return five of their top-six players from a 14-2 team that placed third at the 2A team state tournament. Sophomores Rami Scheetz and Ty Sherman formed a formidable doubles tandem for Coach Rusty Graff last season, and will jockey with senior Parker Muller for positions in the top-half of the lineup.

Linn-Mar —

Coach Chris Wundram believes the fifth-ranked Lions have eight or nine players that can win varsity matches. Junior Jack Gertsen returns from injury and talented freshmen Luke VanDonslear and Jackson Eells will boost a roster that returns four of last year's top-six players, led by juniors Ben Hediger and Lucas Huffman.

Iowa City West —

Coach Mitch Gross and the Trojans – winners of 88 of their last 90 duals – enter the season ranked No. 1 in 2A and have won four of the last five 2A team state titles and six of 12. Senior Jiung Jung is a two-time defending singles state champion, while senior Cole Schneider and sophomore Jack Wenzel placed second last year at state doubles.

Players to watch:

Rami Hemaidan

, jr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy — Two-time first team all-MVC and Class 2A singles state qualifier, including a sixth-place finish in 2015.

Ben Hediger

, jr., Linn-Mar — Placed sixth in 2A state doubles last season.

Joe Hoff

, sr., Iowa City High — 2A state singles runner-up last season, 2A state doubles quarterfinalist in 2015. 2016 MVC Mississippi Athlete of the Year, three-time first team all-MVC. Creighton signee.

Lucas Huffman

, jr., Linn-Mar — Placed sixth in 2A state doubles last season, was sixth in lineup for 2015 state championship team.

Jiung Jung

, sr., Iowa City West — Two-time defending 2A singles state champion, fourth in 2014. Three-time first team all-MVC and two-time MVC Valley Athlete of the Year.

Jon Lansing

, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier — First-team all-MVC last season, Class 1A doubles state qualifier in 2015.

Parker Muller

, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington — Two-time 2A singles state qualifier, two-time first team all-MVC.

Rami Scheetz

, so., Cedar Rapids Washington — Placed seventh in 2A state singles last season as a freshman.

Cole Schneider

, sr., Iowa City West — First-team all-MVC and 2A doubles state runner-up last season, eighth in 2015. Luther commit.

Ty Sherman

, so., Cedar Rapids Washington — Part of a highly-competitive preseason competition atop the Warriors lineup after an excellent freshman season that ended with a third-place team finish at state.

Luke VanDonslear

, fr., Linn-Mar — Highly-regarded freshman who is expected to occupy any of the top-three positions in the Linn-Mar lineup.

Jack Wenzel

, so., Iowa City West — 2A doubles state runner-up last season.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com