by Alan Babbitt

Jacob Burkett utilizes his talent on the tennis court to the fullest this season for Hope College.

The sophomore from Clarkston, Michigan (Clarkston HS) posted a combined 12-1 singles and doubles record against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association competition and claimed MIAA Most Valuable Player honors.

Burkett is the Flying Dutchmen's seventh MIAA MVP and the first since current-head coach Bob Cawood was a senior player in 2013.

Burkett is joined on the All-MIAA First Team by teammate Cameron Coates.

Hope's MIAA Most Valuable Players

This season, Burkett went 7-0 at No. 1 singles and 5-1 at No. 1 doubles during MIAA matches.

"I want to stress he is a talented player, but for me, this award shows that hard work and the system we have in place can be very beneficial," Cawood said. "He's in the gym. He's on the tennis court. He's pushing himself like how you want him to so that he can improve his game to the next level.

"It's great to see hard work pay off for him. Hopefully, it's only up from here. It's pretty amazing to win this award as a sophomore."

Coates (Stevensville, Michigan / Laurel Springs) posted a 5-0 MIAA record at No. 2 singles and a 4-0 mark at No. 3 doubles.

"When he goes on the court, he's all business but is a great sportsman," Cawood said. "He works very hard and helps lead our team."

Hope's All-MIAA First Team Honorees