MONROE - The Chicago White Sox had an advertising slogan several years ago, "The kids can play" and that's a well-suited slogan for the Monroe boys tennis team.
There's a new cast of characters on the court, but first-year coach Brad Saugstad has to be happy with the results as the Cheesemakers opened up Badger South Conference play by beating Oregon 4-3. Monroe (4-1, 1-0 Badger South) did it with a lineup featuring two freshmen singles players and three sophomores playing doubles.
"The No. 1 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and doubles came out and took care of business," Saugstad said. "We knew they (Oregon) would be a tough match."
Monroe's Carson Root, at No. 1 singles, defeated Oregon junior Kyle Onesti 6-2, 6-1. The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles team of senior Patrick Gellings and junior Garrett Tschanz defeated Oregon's Jake Torpy and Jackson Smith in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.
"I think we do have a lot of young kids who have talent," Tschanz said. "I think we will do just fine filling the void from last year. There is not much pressure. We are what we are and we are hoping for the best."
Gellings said the No. 1 doubles team still has a lot to work on.
"Overall, we played pretty well," Gellings said. "As the season goes on, we will hit more shots in where we want to."
Freshman Taylor Soddy at No. 2 singles defeated Justin Helmkamp 6-2, 6-3.
The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles team of senior Jakob Baertschi and sophomore Cristian Noriega defeated Oregon's Jerad Simmons and Jesse Vogeler-Wumsch 6-1, 6-4 to avenge a loss to the Panthers' tandem from the Janesville Quad.
"To come out and beat them is a great win today," Saugstad said of the No. 2 doubles team.
Monroe senior Eric Knudtson lost a heartbreaking match at No. 3 singles 7-6, 7-6 as he lost two tiebreakers. Knudtson lost the first tiebreaker 7-4 and the second 9-7. Freshman Jess Hager at No. 4 singles lost to Oregon senior Brian Jacobs 6-2, 6-2.
The sophomore No. 3 doubles tandem of Luke Molinao and Luke Andraski lost to Oregon's Brian Johnson and Ryan Krull 6-1, 6-2.
Saugstad is excited with the 4-1 start and the development of some young players.
"It's been an eye-opener for some of the guys," he said of playing on the varsity. I'm hoping they can get experience and keep on improving. They are coming out and working hard in practice. They know what they need to work on. I've been pretty happy with their effort."
There's a new cast of characters on the court, but first-year coach Brad Saugstad has to be happy with the results as the Cheesemakers opened up Badger South Conference play by beating Oregon 4-3. Monroe (4-1, 1-0 Badger South) did it with a lineup featuring two freshmen singles players and three sophomores playing doubles.
"The No. 1 singles, No. 1 doubles, No. 2 singles and doubles came out and took care of business," Saugstad said. "We knew they (Oregon) would be a tough match."
Monroe's Carson Root, at No. 1 singles, defeated Oregon junior Kyle Onesti 6-2, 6-1. The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles team of senior Patrick Gellings and junior Garrett Tschanz defeated Oregon's Jake Torpy and Jackson Smith in straight sets 6-1, 6-1.
"I think we do have a lot of young kids who have talent," Tschanz said. "I think we will do just fine filling the void from last year. There is not much pressure. We are what we are and we are hoping for the best."
Gellings said the No. 1 doubles team still has a lot to work on.
"Overall, we played pretty well," Gellings said. "As the season goes on, we will hit more shots in where we want to."
Freshman Taylor Soddy at No. 2 singles defeated Justin Helmkamp 6-2, 6-3.
The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles team of senior Jakob Baertschi and sophomore Cristian Noriega defeated Oregon's Jerad Simmons and Jesse Vogeler-Wumsch 6-1, 6-4 to avenge a loss to the Panthers' tandem from the Janesville Quad.
"To come out and beat them is a great win today," Saugstad said of the No. 2 doubles team.
Monroe senior Eric Knudtson lost a heartbreaking match at No. 3 singles 7-6, 7-6 as he lost two tiebreakers. Knudtson lost the first tiebreaker 7-4 and the second 9-7. Freshman Jess Hager at No. 4 singles lost to Oregon senior Brian Jacobs 6-2, 6-2.
The sophomore No. 3 doubles tandem of Luke Molinao and Luke Andraski lost to Oregon's Brian Johnson and Ryan Krull 6-1, 6-2.
Saugstad is excited with the 4-1 start and the development of some young players.
"It's been an eye-opener for some of the guys," he said of playing on the varsity. I'm hoping they can get experience and keep on improving. They are coming out and working hard in practice. They know what they need to work on. I've been pretty happy with their effort."
