MONROE - The Monroe girls tennis team for the second straight match lost a nail-biter 4-3 to Monona Grove Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Monroe (2-3, 1-3 Badger South) lost its second straight conference match 4-3.
"It was a disappointing night for the team," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "Close losses like this hurt. If we want to finish with a .500 record in conference, we need two straight wins over Milton and Fort Atkinson. It's very possible for us, but we are going to need to be better prepared mentally and physically."
The Silver Eagles won three of the four singles matches. The only win at singles for the Cheesemakers came from sophomore Katie Demianiuk at No. 4 singles who defeated Monona Grove's Michelle Zaber 6-3, 6-1.
"Katie Demianiuk played a very nice match tonight," Saugstad said. "She has played a lot of long, difficult matches and she put it all together tonight to play a nice, quick match. Her play has been improving with each match."
The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles team of seniors Ellie Grossen and Chandra McGuire stayed unbeaten this season with a 7-6 (5), 6-0 win over Monona Grove's Morgan Bohn and Dayna Trimborn. Grossen and McGuire were able to pull off a tough first set. With the win, Grossen and McGuire improve their mark to 14-0.
"As the competition gets better at the end of the season, these two are going to have to avoid slumps like they had in the first set tonight," Saugstad said.
At No. 3 doubles, Monroe senior Alisa Fager and junior Amber Jenson defeated Monona Grove's Emma Crosby and Rysa Weigel-Starr 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (1).
"They (Fager and Jenson) ended up playing one of their best matches of the season," Saugstad said. "I hope the confidence from this match can carry over as the season continues."
Monroe will play at Milton Thursday, Sept. 19 and will host Fort Atkinson Monday, Sept. 23.
"It will be big for us to build a little momentum," Saugstad said. "The girls are a little down after two close losses. It would be great for us to win a couple of matches before conference."
Monroe (2-3, 1-3 Badger South) lost its second straight conference match 4-3.
"It was a disappointing night for the team," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "Close losses like this hurt. If we want to finish with a .500 record in conference, we need two straight wins over Milton and Fort Atkinson. It's very possible for us, but we are going to need to be better prepared mentally and physically."
The Silver Eagles won three of the four singles matches. The only win at singles for the Cheesemakers came from sophomore Katie Demianiuk at No. 4 singles who defeated Monona Grove's Michelle Zaber 6-3, 6-1.
"Katie Demianiuk played a very nice match tonight," Saugstad said. "She has played a lot of long, difficult matches and she put it all together tonight to play a nice, quick match. Her play has been improving with each match."
The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles team of seniors Ellie Grossen and Chandra McGuire stayed unbeaten this season with a 7-6 (5), 6-0 win over Monona Grove's Morgan Bohn and Dayna Trimborn. Grossen and McGuire were able to pull off a tough first set. With the win, Grossen and McGuire improve their mark to 14-0.
"As the competition gets better at the end of the season, these two are going to have to avoid slumps like they had in the first set tonight," Saugstad said.
At No. 3 doubles, Monroe senior Alisa Fager and junior Amber Jenson defeated Monona Grove's Emma Crosby and Rysa Weigel-Starr 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (1).
"They (Fager and Jenson) ended up playing one of their best matches of the season," Saugstad said. "I hope the confidence from this match can carry over as the season continues."
Monroe will play at Milton Thursday, Sept. 19 and will host Fort Atkinson Monday, Sept. 23.
"It will be big for us to build a little momentum," Saugstad said. "The girls are a little down after two close losses. It would be great for us to win a couple of matches before conference."
