​Hoyt brothers thrive in first season, help Eagles beat Raytown in three sets

Hoyt brothers thrive in first season, help Eagles beat Raytown in three sets

4/30/2025

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News

Brothers Tyler and Tristan Hoyt are playing organized high school volleyball for the first time in their careers in the 2024-25 season.

Before this season, the duo played sand volleyball in recreational leagues over the summer.

Their father and junior classmate Jordan Jackson convinced them to try out for the high school team, and both have been an integral part of the Grain Valley boys volleyball team.

They combined for 10 aces and seven kills to help the Eagles cruise to a 25-8, 25-13, 25-9 victory at home.

Tristan said staying active has been the key to them being good in their first year playing the sport. They were both on the junior varsity basketball team this past winter.

Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said the brothers have exceeded expectations in their first season playing organized volleyball.

“It really speaks to their athletic ability and how fast they picked up the game,” said Squiers, whose team improved to 17-7-1. “At the beginning of the season we were unsure where (Tristan) could fill in on our team, with some of the holes we had. He has taken over as a huge middle blocker and an offensive threat for our team.”

Tyler has been the go-to server for Squiers and has been one of the team’s setters, while Tristan has been a solid middle hitter. Tyler credited his work in practice for his development into the team’s top server. He had five aces against Raytown on Tuesday.

“We quickly saw how good his hands were,” Squiers said. “We have been working with him on setting and how to read the court. To come in and having never played before, he has been phenomenal. He’s our leader in aces.”

Tristan showed he was a good server himself as he earned 11 straight service points, including four aces to help his team go on a run to win the second set.

“That was pretty good. It was unexpected,” Tristan said. “I am usually not the one to serve that many times. It’s usually my brother.”

Both have been a strong presence at the net, too. Tristan had five kills against the Blue Jays and Tyler added.
“Playing basketball has helped with our leaping ability,” Tyler said.

Senior Maddox Dresslaer, who leads the team in kills, joined the Hoyts in scoring as he had a team-high seven kills. Senior Ryan Rohr also has been strong at the net. On Tuesday, he added five kills.

“He brings all the energy,” Tyler said of Rohr. “He’s a good player, who always keeps it in. I can trust him when I am setting.”

Added Squiers: “Ryan is one of those guys who are hard to take off the court. He’s a six rotational player for us and brings a lot of energy.”