MONROE - The Cheesemakers tennis team didn't know what to expect headed into Thursday's dual with Baraboo.
Despite winning 6-1, Monroe found out that the Thunderbirds were just as gritty as the Cheesemakers Thursday.
"They came out, battled the wind and played very well. We definitely had a good effort," Monroe head coach Brad Saugstad said. "Right now it doesn't really matter much who we are playing. The guys didn't know what to expect out of Baraboo, and neither did I."
A steady wind blew 20-30 miles per hour the entire afternoon.
"We talked about what we should do headed with the wind and against the wind. The guys didn't let it effect them tonight," Saugstad said.
Monroe swept the singles matches and only lost the No. 3 doubles match. However, two of the wins came in three sets, and two others (No. 2 and 3 singles) nearly went three sets.
"Our guys really focused mentally and played tough," Saugstad said.
Taylor Soddy cruised through the first set of the No. 2 singles match with Baraboo's Adam Laux, 6-0, only to grit out a 6-4 win in the second set.
"It's frustrating getting out to a big lead and then giving up so much the next set," Soddy said.
His second set saw a back-and-forth battle fueled with frustration as Soddy led Laux 4-3 and 5-4.
"Nothing comes easy and you can' take anything for granted," Soddy said.
Monroe's No. 3 singles, Eric Knudtson, pulled out a 7-5, 7-5 win over Ryan Mathers.
The Cheesemakers' second doubles, made up of Jakob Baertschi and Cristian Noriega, knocked off Baraboo's No. 2 duo of Joel Seymanski and Cory Blada, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
"For them to pull it out in three sets, and against their normal No. 1 doubles team, is good to hear. Jakob Baertschi just played a terrific third set," Saugstad said.
Top doubles Patrick Gellings and Garrett Tschanz knocked off Graham Greve and Jon Wise, 6-1, 6-2.
"They moved their No. 1 singles player over to doubles today, but for our (No.) 1 doubles team to go 6-1, 6-2 like that, they played a great match," Saugstad said. "They had a lot of energy."
Monroe's top singles player, Carson Root, dominated Alex Mann, 6-0, 6-1.
That left Monroe with a 5-1 advantage and a guaranteed team win. But No. 4 singles player, Jess Hager, wanted a win of his own.
After falling 6-7 (3) in the first set, Hager won the second set 6-2. In the third set, Hager led 5-2, only to drop three straight games to Baraboo's Nick Thomas, tying the set at 5-5. Hager went up 6-5, but Thomas tied him again at 6-6, forcing a tiebreaker.
"Jess Hager has got so much energy right now. He's playing great and playing with a lot of confidence," Saugstad said.
Both players won each of their serves until Hager stole a serve from Thomas. In the end, Thomas went long on a volley and Hager picked up a win in the night's final match.
"I'm really happy with the guys tonight," Saugstad said.
No. 4 singles Luke Molinaro and Luke Andraski, fell 6-1, 7-5, respectfully.
Monroe next travels to a tournament in Beaver Dam Saturday.
Despite winning 6-1, Monroe found out that the Thunderbirds were just as gritty as the Cheesemakers Thursday.
"They came out, battled the wind and played very well. We definitely had a good effort," Monroe head coach Brad Saugstad said. "Right now it doesn't really matter much who we are playing. The guys didn't know what to expect out of Baraboo, and neither did I."
A steady wind blew 20-30 miles per hour the entire afternoon.
"We talked about what we should do headed with the wind and against the wind. The guys didn't let it effect them tonight," Saugstad said.
Monroe swept the singles matches and only lost the No. 3 doubles match. However, two of the wins came in three sets, and two others (No. 2 and 3 singles) nearly went three sets.
"Our guys really focused mentally and played tough," Saugstad said.
Taylor Soddy cruised through the first set of the No. 2 singles match with Baraboo's Adam Laux, 6-0, only to grit out a 6-4 win in the second set.
"It's frustrating getting out to a big lead and then giving up so much the next set," Soddy said.
His second set saw a back-and-forth battle fueled with frustration as Soddy led Laux 4-3 and 5-4.
"Nothing comes easy and you can' take anything for granted," Soddy said.
Monroe's No. 3 singles, Eric Knudtson, pulled out a 7-5, 7-5 win over Ryan Mathers.
The Cheesemakers' second doubles, made up of Jakob Baertschi and Cristian Noriega, knocked off Baraboo's No. 2 duo of Joel Seymanski and Cory Blada, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
"For them to pull it out in three sets, and against their normal No. 1 doubles team, is good to hear. Jakob Baertschi just played a terrific third set," Saugstad said.
Top doubles Patrick Gellings and Garrett Tschanz knocked off Graham Greve and Jon Wise, 6-1, 6-2.
"They moved their No. 1 singles player over to doubles today, but for our (No.) 1 doubles team to go 6-1, 6-2 like that, they played a great match," Saugstad said. "They had a lot of energy."
Monroe's top singles player, Carson Root, dominated Alex Mann, 6-0, 6-1.
That left Monroe with a 5-1 advantage and a guaranteed team win. But No. 4 singles player, Jess Hager, wanted a win of his own.
After falling 6-7 (3) in the first set, Hager won the second set 6-2. In the third set, Hager led 5-2, only to drop three straight games to Baraboo's Nick Thomas, tying the set at 5-5. Hager went up 6-5, but Thomas tied him again at 6-6, forcing a tiebreaker.
"Jess Hager has got so much energy right now. He's playing great and playing with a lot of confidence," Saugstad said.
Both players won each of their serves until Hager stole a serve from Thomas. In the end, Thomas went long on a volley and Hager picked up a win in the night's final match.
"I'm really happy with the guys tonight," Saugstad said.
No. 4 singles Luke Molinaro and Luke Andraski, fell 6-1, 7-5, respectfully.
Monroe next travels to a tournament in Beaver Dam Saturday.
