FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville tennis coach Darin Phelan fully expects Rob Hodous to take the next step next fall.
After losing in the singles quarterfinals at the Class 7A State Tournament as a sophomore, Hodous advanced to the finals in October, where the Bulldogs junior lost an epic 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 battle with Little Rock Central’s Mario Martinez.
Hodous won the 7A-West singles championship en route to the state tournament and even had match point against Martinez.
Hodous had a dominating year after earning the No. 1 spot for Fayetteville, and that is why the junior is the All-Northwest Arkansas Boys Singles Player of the Year.
“We had a few match points, but he just couldn’t pull it out,” Phelan said of the finals. “Very proud of the way he played. He has matured from last year to this year.
“If he follows what he has been doing, getting to the quarterfinals last year and the finals this year, our expectations are to win it next year.”
Hodous also qualified for the state tournament as a freshman and said that having state tournament experience is a big plus.
“Every year, I am getting a lot better and I have gone a lot farther each year,” Hodous said. “I just have to stay focused and I have to be a lot more consistent (next year).”
Hodous had to outduel teammate John Byrd for the right to play No. 1 for the Bulldogs, and Hodous said that competition helped the whole team.
“We had a great year,” Hodous said. “We only lost to Bentonville.”
Phelan said he would like to see that type of competition among his players every year.
“Rob kind of developed himself,” Phelan said. “Rob and John Byrd were fighting back and forth, but Rob performed. I gave him the lead and he took it. It was his to lose and he never lost it. He had a great season this year.”
Hodous defeated Fort Smith Southside’s Bill Blake twice during the regular season and again in the finals of the conference tournament.
Phelan said Hodous’ victory in the finals of the conference tournament was an impressive feat.
“When you face a guy three times, you have to come out with a different mentality,” Phelan said. “Rob came out focused and stayed focus. Rob broke his spirit early.
“Rob has the game, he has the work ethic. He just has to get a couple more things in his arsenal and he is there.”