MONROE - The rain in warm-ups and the cold blustery wind didn't deter Monroe senior Garrett Tschanz and the Cheesemakers.
Tschanz and fellow senior Carson Root, at No. 1 doubles, rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Stoughton's Luke Stacey and John Evans, and the Cheesemakers cruised to a 5-2 Badger South win over the Vikings Tuesday.
"Carson and me, coming in, we had the mindset that we were ready to dominate," Tschanz said. "That's how we come into every match. We just play aggressive and smart and go from there."
There wasn't any secret to the success of the No. 1 doubles team.
"We just played smart doubles," Root said. "That's all you need to do."
Root is enjoying the switch from No. 1 singles to No. 1 doubles.
"It's fun to get a chance to play doubles in my high school career," he said.
It was a complete team effort for Monroe, which improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Badger South. Sophomore Taylor Soddy, at No. 1 singles, defeated Stoughton senior Mike Palmer in straight sets 6-0, 6-1. The Cheesemakers will play at Badger South power Madison Edgewood on Thursday and Soddy couldn't help but look forward to the match. He will play Austin Papenthien, who won a doubles state championship as a sophomore.
"I just have to play better against tougher opponents," Soddy said. "It's nerve-wracking. He (Papenthien) is really good. It will be harder than any match we have had at home this season. It's probably the best opponent I will see all season."
Monroe senior Quinten L'Yvonnet defeated Justin Shaffer 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. The other wins for the Cheesemakers came at No. 2 and 3 doubles.
At No. 2 doubles for the Cheesemakers, junior Cristian Noriega and sophomore Jess Hager beat Nick Clerkin and Manuel Calzada 6-1, 6-1. Sophomores Kevin Kohlstedt and Josh Riese defeated Kai Hedstrom and Alex Leroy 6-3, 7-5 in the No. 3 doubles match.
"Any win is a good win in conference," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "We were happy to get the win today. We were happy to get it in with the weather."
Saugstad has seen the No. 2 doubles tandem of Noriega and Hager develop more as a team.
"They have started to pick it up," Saugstad said. "They are putting the ball away. I'm really looking forward to seeing them grow as a team as the season goes on."
The Cheesemakers can now focus on Edgewood. Monroe's No. 1 doubles team (Tschanz and Patrick Gellings) lost to Edgewood in three matches last year, but pushed them to three sets at the WIAA Division 2 Whitewater sectional. This year, the Crusaders' No. 2 doubles team from last year, which were state qualifiers, are playing No. 1 doubles.
"You always have to feel confident as a team," Root said. "You never know who will show up and play. You just have to play smart."
Saugstad said the Crusaders are the favorite to win the Badger South Conference again.
"We just want to go out and play the best we can," Saugstad said. "Whatever happens, happens."
Tschanz and fellow senior Carson Root, at No. 1 doubles, rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Stoughton's Luke Stacey and John Evans, and the Cheesemakers cruised to a 5-2 Badger South win over the Vikings Tuesday.
"Carson and me, coming in, we had the mindset that we were ready to dominate," Tschanz said. "That's how we come into every match. We just play aggressive and smart and go from there."
There wasn't any secret to the success of the No. 1 doubles team.
"We just played smart doubles," Root said. "That's all you need to do."
Root is enjoying the switch from No. 1 singles to No. 1 doubles.
"It's fun to get a chance to play doubles in my high school career," he said.
It was a complete team effort for Monroe, which improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Badger South. Sophomore Taylor Soddy, at No. 1 singles, defeated Stoughton senior Mike Palmer in straight sets 6-0, 6-1. The Cheesemakers will play at Badger South power Madison Edgewood on Thursday and Soddy couldn't help but look forward to the match. He will play Austin Papenthien, who won a doubles state championship as a sophomore.
"I just have to play better against tougher opponents," Soddy said. "It's nerve-wracking. He (Papenthien) is really good. It will be harder than any match we have had at home this season. It's probably the best opponent I will see all season."
Monroe senior Quinten L'Yvonnet defeated Justin Shaffer 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. The other wins for the Cheesemakers came at No. 2 and 3 doubles.
At No. 2 doubles for the Cheesemakers, junior Cristian Noriega and sophomore Jess Hager beat Nick Clerkin and Manuel Calzada 6-1, 6-1. Sophomores Kevin Kohlstedt and Josh Riese defeated Kai Hedstrom and Alex Leroy 6-3, 7-5 in the No. 3 doubles match.
"Any win is a good win in conference," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "We were happy to get the win today. We were happy to get it in with the weather."
Saugstad has seen the No. 2 doubles tandem of Noriega and Hager develop more as a team.
"They have started to pick it up," Saugstad said. "They are putting the ball away. I'm really looking forward to seeing them grow as a team as the season goes on."
The Cheesemakers can now focus on Edgewood. Monroe's No. 1 doubles team (Tschanz and Patrick Gellings) lost to Edgewood in three matches last year, but pushed them to three sets at the WIAA Division 2 Whitewater sectional. This year, the Crusaders' No. 2 doubles team from last year, which were state qualifiers, are playing No. 1 doubles.
"You always have to feel confident as a team," Root said. "You never know who will show up and play. You just have to play smart."
Saugstad said the Crusaders are the favorite to win the Badger South Conference again.
"We just want to go out and play the best we can," Saugstad said. "Whatever happens, happens."
