MADISON - Perennial Badger South Conference power Madison Edgewood was too much for Monroe as the Crusaders rolled to a 6-1 dual match win over the Cheesemakers Monday.
The lone win for Monroe came from senior Rhett Katzenberger at No. 4 singles. Katzenberger defeated Edgewood's Nathan Weaver 6-3, 6-3.
"What can I say other than Edgewood is the best team in the conference by far," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "They sat out a few of their players tonight and still had the depth to earn a 6-1 win. This team is in a league of their own and it won't surprise me if they have the No. 1 seed at every single flight at the conference tournament."
Saugstad praised the play of Katzenberger.
"Rhett was doing a great job of moving his opponent around the court and forcing him into errors," he said.
With the loss, Monroe drops to 6-4, 2-2 Badger South. Edgewood junior Connor Maloney defeated Monroe senior David Shon at No. 1 singles 6-3, 7-6 (3). Shon had a 5-2 lead in the second set, but couldn't hang on.
"I can't fault David's effort one bit," Saugstad said. "He worked hard out there and was hitting some great shots, but David is having the same problem as the rest of the team. When we are playing quality opponents, the match is close and it's a big point, we just can't come up with the shots we need."
Edgewood senior Charlie Kirsh at No. 2 singles defeated Monroe sophomore Silas Setterstorm 6-4, 6-0. Edgewood freshman Hunter Dunn at No. 3 singles beat Monroe senior Zach Hendrickson 6-0, 6-0.
The Crusaders swept every doubles match. The Crusaders' No. 1 doubles team of senior Billy O'Brien and junior Thomas Thelen defeated Monroe seniors Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan 6-4, 6-0. Edgewood's No. 2 doubles team of senior Patrick Croake and junior Daniel Garlock beat the Cheesemakers' Jermey Miller and Kody Althaus 6-2, 6-1. The Crusaders' No. 3 doubles team of Jack Beste and Forrest Lynn defeated Monroe's Keyton Friske and Cole Oudinot 6-0, 6-0.
Monroe plays at Milton today. It marks the Cheesemakers' eighth match in eight days.
"This has been a tough stretch because we have barely had any practice time to work on what we need to," Saugstad said. "Hopefully, we can come out strong against Milton and then get back to the practice courts to work really hard for the tournaments at the end of the season."
The lone win for Monroe came from senior Rhett Katzenberger at No. 4 singles. Katzenberger defeated Edgewood's Nathan Weaver 6-3, 6-3.
"What can I say other than Edgewood is the best team in the conference by far," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "They sat out a few of their players tonight and still had the depth to earn a 6-1 win. This team is in a league of their own and it won't surprise me if they have the No. 1 seed at every single flight at the conference tournament."
Saugstad praised the play of Katzenberger.
"Rhett was doing a great job of moving his opponent around the court and forcing him into errors," he said.
With the loss, Monroe drops to 6-4, 2-2 Badger South. Edgewood junior Connor Maloney defeated Monroe senior David Shon at No. 1 singles 6-3, 7-6 (3). Shon had a 5-2 lead in the second set, but couldn't hang on.
"I can't fault David's effort one bit," Saugstad said. "He worked hard out there and was hitting some great shots, but David is having the same problem as the rest of the team. When we are playing quality opponents, the match is close and it's a big point, we just can't come up with the shots we need."
Edgewood senior Charlie Kirsh at No. 2 singles defeated Monroe sophomore Silas Setterstorm 6-4, 6-0. Edgewood freshman Hunter Dunn at No. 3 singles beat Monroe senior Zach Hendrickson 6-0, 6-0.
The Crusaders swept every doubles match. The Crusaders' No. 1 doubles team of senior Billy O'Brien and junior Thomas Thelen defeated Monroe seniors Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan 6-4, 6-0. Edgewood's No. 2 doubles team of senior Patrick Croake and junior Daniel Garlock beat the Cheesemakers' Jermey Miller and Kody Althaus 6-2, 6-1. The Crusaders' No. 3 doubles team of Jack Beste and Forrest Lynn defeated Monroe's Keyton Friske and Cole Oudinot 6-0, 6-0.
Monroe plays at Milton today. It marks the Cheesemakers' eighth match in eight days.
"This has been a tough stretch because we have barely had any practice time to work on what we need to," Saugstad said. "Hopefully, we can come out strong against Milton and then get back to the practice courts to work really hard for the tournaments at the end of the season."
