Fleming Islands Zach Hyatt did not play as a freshman

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. Zach Hyatt may be a freshman, but the Fleming Island tennis star certainly didn't play like a freshman.

Hyatt, the All-News4JAX boys tennis player of the year, wasn’t even close to a varsity novice. He played varsity at St. Johns Country Day for three years, so Hyatt was already familiar with the area’s landscape.

But he said there was, of course, an adjustment and a learning curve to go from a school as big as St. Johns to one as big as Fleming Island. After a dominant first season in which he played for the overall singles championship as a freshman, Hyatt was clearly not impressed with the jump up in the league.

I wasn't sure if I was going to do it. I mean, I've played high school tennis here, so it wasn't super new to play line one as a freshman. But it was more pressure than I expected, Hyatt said.

Just line one and a bigger school with a bigger district. So across districts and regions, a lot of pressure because I really wanted that state [appearance]. I really wanted to do that run as a freshman. And I got to state and I wasn't sure if I was going to do very well. But I mean, I just kind of persevered. I got lucky, I guess. I made it to the finals and then I moved up.

Hyatt was more than just lucky. He was 10-2 in the regular season at the No. 1 singles spot, but he really came into his own during the postseason. He won the individual portion of the singles draw before losing to Lake Buena Vista's Pete Tran (6-1, 6-2) for the overall championship.

Hyatt comes from a strong tennis background. His sister, Stella, was a two-time All-News4JAX selection and a constant presence in the postseason during her time at St. Johns. He alternated between sports like soccer and basketball before returning to the court full-time.

After the pandemic hit, I couldn't do those sports anymore. So I focused more on tennis. Since then, I haven't really done anything else, he said.

His future looks bright. Hyatt is the headliner in a blockbuster freshman class that includes four Class of 2028 players on the All-News4JAX first team. Hyatt said his experience this season shows him how realistic it is to win a state championship.

I think so. I'm striving for it, especially sophomore year, Hyatt said of his championship aspirations. I really want to do it at a younger age. I think it's very possible. I think it's within my reach. I was so close this year as a freshman, so I think I really have a shot with my district and class and everything right now.

All-News4JAX boys tennis

First team

Player, school, class

Willem ChavesNease, Fr.

Best singles player for the Panthers who were 10-2 and reached the Class 4A state tournament. Only one local loss (Ponte Vedras Jacob Raider).

Reef DavisFletcher, Jr.

Two-time All-News4JAX selection. Went 7-1 at No. 1 singles and cruised to the Class 3A individual doubles title with Brayden Woods before falling in the overall final.

Zach HyattFleming Island, Fr.

Went 10-2 in regular season at No. 1 ranking and 10-1 in doubles. Won Class 3A individual singles at state tournament but fell in overall championship.

Charlie NealEpiscopal, Father.

Another star in the loaded Class of 2027. Was 16-0 at Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in singles and 16-1 in the top two doubles positions.

Award PrizePonte Vedra, Mr.

Two-time All-News4JAX selection and second team pick as a sophomore. Went 9-1 at No. 1 singles and 4-1 at No. 2 singles and went undefeated against regional competition as Sharks won region and reached 3A team semifinals.

Andrew SchkotkinFlagler Palm Coast, Fr.

Excellent debut season for the Bulldogs. Four-star prospect by Tennis Recruiting Network. Went 12-3 at No. 1 singles and 13-3 at No. 1 doubles.

Second team

Player, school, class

Andrés AlvaradoRidgeview, Sr.

Excellent final season, with only losses to top player Hyatt. Went 15-1 at No. 1 singles and 13-2 at No. 1 doubles. Only losses were to Hyatt in singles and to Hyatt and Anthony Williams in doubles.

Jacob RaiderPonte Vedra, Mr.

Wofford commit is a three-star prospect by Tennis Recruiting Network. Undefeated against local competition. Went 4-1 in singles and 3-2 in No. 1 doubles.

Adam Stochel-PolubiecFlagler Palm Coast, South.

Went 16-2 in No. 2 singles and 13-3 in No. 1 doubles with first teamer Andrew Shkotkin.

Stanislav ValentejchikMatanzas, Sun.

Went 8-3 at No. 1 singles and 7-3 at No. 1 doubles. Only two local singles losses (to FPC's Shkotkin and Ponte Vedras Price). Was first team All-News4JAX last year.

Brayden ForestFletcher, Father.

Another strong freshman who was undefeated at No. 1 and 2 singles (combined 8-0) and went 8-1 in doubles with first-teamer Reef Davis. That duo played for the 3A doubles title.

Michael ZhangBolles, So.

Went 7-1 at the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 singles spots. Was 5-1 combined at the 1-2 doubles positions.

Honorable Mention

Player, school, class

Collin BeeseMenendez, Sr.

Akhil CheddeStanton, Sr.

Hendrik ColwellFernandina Beach, Sr.

Jay DeeringStanton, Mrs.

Aidan EmmettBartram Trail, Sr.

Jack MillerWolfson, Sun.

Dhruv PandyaBolles, Jr.

Sujay PrasathBeachside, Sr.

Ford RachelsEpiscopal, Sr.

Kaleb SheplerChrists Church, Jr.

Aidan StefanidesEpiscopal, Sr.

Marko StevanovicAtlantic coast, South.

Connor VernonPonte Vedra, Jr.

Tristan StroTocoi Creek, Fr.

Jack WalzerCreekside, Jr.

Anthony WilliamsFleming Island, Sr.