State Gazette Boys Tennis Player of the Year: Dyer County Choctaw Bo Dodds

JASON PEEVYHOUSE

jpeevyhouse@stategazette.com

Fresh off a sophomore season which saw him begin the year on a lengthy winning streak before falling in the second round of the Region 7AA Tournament, Dyer County Choctaw Bo Dodds has been named the State Gazette Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

Dyer County Tennis Head Coach Marjie Sanderson said Dodds was someone you could always count on when he was on the court and off of it.

“He was consistent,” Sanderson explained. “He set a really good example – not just for the other guys on the team – but for the whole team, girls and boys.”

Sanderson said Dodds did this by rising to the occasion for his team.

“He set the bar as far as reacting,” the Dyer County coach explained. “If he missed a point, he regrouped, regathered, and didn’t get super-emotional.

“Emotions are one of the key factors for tennis. It’s so mental. He just had composure and just set himself up for the next point.”

This kind of composure and maturity can be rare in a sophomore.

“It says a lot about his maturity,” Sanderson added. “And, I coached him for about maybe a month back when he was in sixth grade before COVID happened and I didn’t get to coach him in the season. I remember, even back then as a sixth-grader, he had maturity, composure, manners, and was polite.

“He listened and would incorporate what you suggested to try.”

Bo’s older brother, Cole, was also a region-level tennis player for the Choctaws. Being able to see what kind of successes could be had on the tennis court seem to have trickled down to the younger sibling.

“Definitely,” Sanderson said when asked if watching his older brother was an inspiration. “But, I also think the Dodds are a tennis family.

“Their grandmother, Peggy, coached tennis for three years and Brandon plays. He practices with them a lot. Bo works out with his dad a lot. He doesn’t just wait for it to happen, he works at it.”

Over the course of his sophomore season, Sanderson felt Dodds improved the most in his serve.

“He had a really good serve last year,” the Dyer County tennis coach pointed out. “But, I think this year, his serve was outstanding. His first and second serve.

“A lot of times, people will have a powerhouse first serve then they’ll just kind of have a lollipop, soft second serve. We call it ‘soft serve ice cream’ a lot in tennis. His second serve is just as powerful.”

Sanderson credited both Dodds’ confidence and work ethic as to the development of this part of his game.

“He’s confident,” Sanderson added. “He knows where to place it and he’s worked at it. He’s practiced doing it.”

One of Dodds’ best intangibles is his work ethic.

“Honestly, I believe he practices out on the court at night,” Sanderson explained. “Also, during the school year, he takes lessons during the day.”

Add to it Dodds also plays basketball during the winter and it speaks to his dedication to the game.

Looking ahead to his junior year, Dodds will again be the team’s No. 1 – or lead – player for the second straight season.

“He’ll still be our first singles,” Sanderson said. “He’ll have a new doubles partner so that’s going to shake things up a bit.”

Sanderson said that she has been approached by other teams who notice Dodds’ talent during matches.

“Countless other players from other schools’ teams have come up to me at tournaments and they’ve said ‘man, you are so lucky to have him as a sophomore’,” Sanderson recalled. “They follow his scores and his season record.”

Dodds was 9-0 in singles this season before falling in the region semifinals. He was also 5-4 in doubles action. Some of his highlights on the court this past season included helping the Choctaws win the Hornet Cup at South Gibson in a five-team field, while making all-tournament teams in the Hornet Cup and District 14AA.