PORTAGE - The Monroe boys tennis team swept every doubles match to knock off Portage 6-1 in a dual match Thursday.
"The boys were pretty disappointed," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "We won, which is nice, but we weren't sharp at all. You could say we weren't mentally sharp because of our tough match with Oregon or we were physically a step slow because of the long bus ride to Portage. But overall, as coach, I have to take the blame for not having the boys physically and mentally ready to play tonight."
With the win, Monroe improves to 6-3, 2-1 Badger South.
Monroe seniors Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan at No. 1 doubles defeated Portage's Nathan Hazard and A.J. Sierra 6-3, 6-3. The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles team of senior Jeremy Miller and sophomore Kody Althaus defeated Portage's Isaac Lavigne and Sam Clemmons 6-3, 6-3. At No. 3 doubles, Monroe seniors Keyton Friske and Cole Oudinot beat Portage's Carl Klein and Huey Griep 6-1, 7-6 (6). It marks the first win of the season for Friske and Oudinot.
"Cole Oudinot and Keyton Friske played a nice first set tonight and hung on to win the second set," Saugstad said. "They've had many stretches throughout the season where they have played well, but tonight they were able to sustain it for longer and win some points at the end of the match."
The Cheesemakers won three singles matches. Monroe senior David Shon at No. 1 singles defeated Portage junior Thomas Marcouiller 6-2, 7-5. Monroe sophomore Silas Setterstrom beat Portage junior Andrew Smalley 6-4, 6-2. At No. 4 singles, Monroe senior Rhett Katzenberger beat Portage's Christian Morrin 6-4, 6-2.
"Rhett was down early in the match but strung together some smart points in the second set," Saugstad said. "When Rhett got some varsity opportunities last year, he mainly played doubles. He is still learning the game of singles, but each match I see some growth out of him."
"The boys were pretty disappointed," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "We won, which is nice, but we weren't sharp at all. You could say we weren't mentally sharp because of our tough match with Oregon or we were physically a step slow because of the long bus ride to Portage. But overall, as coach, I have to take the blame for not having the boys physically and mentally ready to play tonight."
With the win, Monroe improves to 6-3, 2-1 Badger South.
Monroe seniors Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan at No. 1 doubles defeated Portage's Nathan Hazard and A.J. Sierra 6-3, 6-3. The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles team of senior Jeremy Miller and sophomore Kody Althaus defeated Portage's Isaac Lavigne and Sam Clemmons 6-3, 6-3. At No. 3 doubles, Monroe seniors Keyton Friske and Cole Oudinot beat Portage's Carl Klein and Huey Griep 6-1, 7-6 (6). It marks the first win of the season for Friske and Oudinot.
"Cole Oudinot and Keyton Friske played a nice first set tonight and hung on to win the second set," Saugstad said. "They've had many stretches throughout the season where they have played well, but tonight they were able to sustain it for longer and win some points at the end of the match."
The Cheesemakers won three singles matches. Monroe senior David Shon at No. 1 singles defeated Portage junior Thomas Marcouiller 6-2, 7-5. Monroe sophomore Silas Setterstrom beat Portage junior Andrew Smalley 6-4, 6-2. At No. 4 singles, Monroe senior Rhett Katzenberger beat Portage's Christian Morrin 6-4, 6-2.
"Rhett was down early in the match but strung together some smart points in the second set," Saugstad said. "When Rhett got some varsity opportunities last year, he mainly played doubles. He is still learning the game of singles, but each match I see some growth out of him."
