Washington’s Hoyt rebounds from slow start

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jackson Hoyt figured he'd pick right up where he left off last season. He just didn't figure it would be three weeks in to the season.

After a successful freshman season for the Cedar Rapids Washington boys' tennis team — culminating in a state doubles semifinal appearance — Hoyt began the 2014 Mississippi Valley Conference schedule at No. 1 singles and promptly lost his first three matches.

'Coming off of basketball season, I really didn't practice a whole lot,' said Hoyt, who leads the Warriors into Class 2A district play today at Cedar Rapids Prairie. 'I kind of went into the season hoping I was where I was last year, and obviously I wasn't.'

Hoyt continued to put in the work with his coaches and eventually found his groove. Despite the loss of three seniors to graduation, Hoyt helped Washington to a 10-2 MVC season by winning eight straight No. 1 singles' matches before dropping a hard-fought tiebreaker to defending 2A state champion Brady Anderson of Linn-Mar on Tuesday.

'He's got a good all-court game, he's aggressive off the ground,' Washington Coach Rusty Graff said. 'His all-court game and his mental toughness are probably his strongest attributes.'

Given his early struggles, Hoyt is contemplating a different course of action for his junior year.

'I really want to play tennis in college, so I might give basketball up,' Hoyt said. 'I haven't made the decision yet.'

District play consists of eight six-team sites around the state. Team champions move on to substate May 24, while second and third-place teams play Saturday for the right to face a champion from another district.

Washington is up against an MVC-dominated field, which includes host Prairie, Jefferson, Kennedy, Iowa City High and two-time defending state champion Iowa City West.

'West is obviously tough, probably the best in the state,' Hoyt said. 'I think we can take care of the other teams — Kennedy, Jeff, City High — I got nothing against them but as a team I think we're better. West is probably just our toughest matchup.'

Two singles' players and two doubles' teams will compete for each school. Joining Hoyt in singles play for the Warriors is freshman Parker Muller, who lost just three matches at No. 3 singles all season. Washington No. 2 Ian Schweiger will team with Oliver Hammond in doubles.

Linn-Mar is at Clinton in another 2A district. Class 1A districts also are today with Cedar Rapids Xavier, Marion, Maquoketa, Decorah and Western Dubuque traveling to Dubuque Wahlert. Independence, Oelwein and Union Community are at Waterloo Columbus, while South Tama is at Pella.

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