WEST SALEM — The Monroe Cheesemakers girls tennis team had a big day on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the subsectional at Lodi and followed that up at the sectional on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at West Salem with two advancing to state: No. 1 doubles Layla Pallesen and Rylee Svendsen.
The Cheesemakers advanced 7 of 10 players at the subsectional at Lodi, with Ryann Dahlman (No. 2 singles), Jade Tran (No. 3 singles), Mads Joseph (No. 4 singles), Alexis Gertsch and Kaya Holverson (No. 2 doubles) and Pallesen and Svendsen all making it.
One of the highlights of the subsectional was Dahlman winning over an undefeated opponent (Saule Kupcinskaite of Wayland Academy) 6-4, 2-6, 10-6 in a super tiebreaker. Monroe coach Matt Bordner said the number of players advancing is a highlight for the girls tennis program.
“It’s the most I’ve ever had make it to sectionals on the girls team. We fought through tons of tough battles and did a great job of staying calm and focused through the adversity in our matches,” Bordner said.
The Cheesemakers made it two great days in a row as their No. 1 doubles team of Layla Pallesen and Rylee Svendsen beat Vivian Berna and Maddy Pionek of Stevens Point Pacelli 3-6, 7-6, 10-8 to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held October 16-18 at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.
Mads Joseph was able to make it to the sectional championship but fell short to Ashley Davie of Edgewood, 6-0, 6-3.
“The rest of our lineup played well in their matches and against really competitive players, but just couldn’t get on the positive side of the scorecards,” Bordner said.
For Monroe, it’s the first girls to make the state tournament since 2019 when Jensen Christensen and Grace Tostrud made it all the way to the state championship before falling and taking second place.
As a team, the Cheesemakers finished fourth out of 18 teams at the sectional and were the top public school finisher.
“This closes out our season for the most successful team I’ve had in my girls tennis coaching tenure, and we are very excited about supporting our girls at the state tournament,” Bordner said.
Monroe Results: Sectional
Singles:
No. 2 — Reese Abel, Pacelli def. Ryann Dahlman, Monroe, 6-4, 7-5
No. 3 — Reagan Abel, Pacelli def. Jade Tran, Monroe, 7-5, 6-0
No. 4 — Mads Josephs, Monroe def. Madeline Schleppenbach, West Salem, 6-2, 6-3
No. 3 — Ellie Burnet, Onalaska Luther def. Jade Tran, Monroe, 6-1, 6-4
No. 2 — Annie Bickers, Edgewood def. Ryann Dahlman, Monroe, 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 — Ashley Davie, Edgewood def. Mads Josephs, Monroe, 6-0, 6-3
Doubles:
No. 1 — Layla Pallesen & Rylee Svendsen, Monroe def. Vivian Berna & Maddy Pionek, Pacelli, 3-6, 7-6, 10-8
No. 2 — Grace Beyer & Shelby Erdmann, Onalaska Luther def. Alexis Gertsch & Kaya Holverson, Monroe, 7-5, 6-2
No. 1 — Katie Kohls & Olivia Johnson, Edgewood def. Layla Pallesen & Rylee Svendsen, Monroe, 6-1, 6-0
No. 2 — Brisha Briseno & West Salem def. Alexis Gertsch & Kaya Holverson, Monroe, 6-3, 7-5
No. 1 — Marah Lane & Norah Gruel, Lodi def. Layla Pallesen & Rylee Svendsen, Monroe, 6-1, 6-3
