MONROE - Paige Prien and Erin Gellings at No. 1 doubles for the Monroe girls tennis team have played together for three years.
The senior duo displayed their brilliance in a tight first set, but lost a tiebreaker and dropped a match to Madison Edgewood's Grace Seibert and Abby Fox 7-6 (7), 6-1 Tuesday at Recreation Park.
"I think part of it is about momentum," Gellings said. "Even though we were down 4-1 in the second set, all of the points were close. The score didn't reflect how well we played. I just think we have to keep our consistency, work up to the net and finish points when we have the chance."
Edgewood (5-0, 2-0 Badger South) didn't have many problems finishing at the net even with a shuffled lineup with sophomore No. 1 singles player Emma Sango sidelined for most of the season with a back injury. She's not expected back until the sectional. Edgewood's Maddie Molitor, who usually plays No. 1 doubles, defeated Monroe senior Chelsea Miller at No. 1 singles 6-0, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Edgewood's Jessica Inman crusied past Monroe junior Eva Priewe 6-0, 6-0. Edgewood's Brita Hovde knocked off Monroe junior Katie Demianiuk 6-2, 6-0.
"I think number one, the girls played with a lot of heart," Monroe coach Tim Walsh said. "Edgewood is a powerhouse in our conference. I feel good because this is a measuring stick for where we have to get to that championship status.
"What I don't want to hear is Edgewood is playing during the winter and they recruit because then you have a losing mentality to tennis."
Prien and Gellings struggled at the start of the second set at No. 1 doubles over hitting shots and struggling to return serves and had a double fault. They bounced back late in the set and had several long volleys before the Crusaders clinched the win. After playing half a season at No. 3 doubles as sophomores and No. 2 doubles last year, the partnership has blossomed on the court.
"We have a huge advantage," Prien said. "We know each other really well. We know when the other one is tense and needs something funny to lighten the mood."
Gellings isn't looking ahead. She's keeping the focus on the short-term.
"I think our goal is to always play our best," she said. "We will never get angry at each other. We are in this as a team."
Walsh said the Cheesemakers have the ability to compete with the top teams like the Crusaders.
"They are know bigger or stronger than we are," he said.
Walsh said a lot of playing strong tennis comes down to confidence.
"I thought Katie played with a lot of heart," Walsh said. "She has really good ground strokes. Chelsea and Eva both played with a lot of heart they were just overmatched."
The senior duo displayed their brilliance in a tight first set, but lost a tiebreaker and dropped a match to Madison Edgewood's Grace Seibert and Abby Fox 7-6 (7), 6-1 Tuesday at Recreation Park.
"I think part of it is about momentum," Gellings said. "Even though we were down 4-1 in the second set, all of the points were close. The score didn't reflect how well we played. I just think we have to keep our consistency, work up to the net and finish points when we have the chance."
Edgewood (5-0, 2-0 Badger South) didn't have many problems finishing at the net even with a shuffled lineup with sophomore No. 1 singles player Emma Sango sidelined for most of the season with a back injury. She's not expected back until the sectional. Edgewood's Maddie Molitor, who usually plays No. 1 doubles, defeated Monroe senior Chelsea Miller at No. 1 singles 6-0, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Edgewood's Jessica Inman crusied past Monroe junior Eva Priewe 6-0, 6-0. Edgewood's Brita Hovde knocked off Monroe junior Katie Demianiuk 6-2, 6-0.
"I think number one, the girls played with a lot of heart," Monroe coach Tim Walsh said. "Edgewood is a powerhouse in our conference. I feel good because this is a measuring stick for where we have to get to that championship status.
"What I don't want to hear is Edgewood is playing during the winter and they recruit because then you have a losing mentality to tennis."
Prien and Gellings struggled at the start of the second set at No. 1 doubles over hitting shots and struggling to return serves and had a double fault. They bounced back late in the set and had several long volleys before the Crusaders clinched the win. After playing half a season at No. 3 doubles as sophomores and No. 2 doubles last year, the partnership has blossomed on the court.
"We have a huge advantage," Prien said. "We know each other really well. We know when the other one is tense and needs something funny to lighten the mood."
Gellings isn't looking ahead. She's keeping the focus on the short-term.
"I think our goal is to always play our best," she said. "We will never get angry at each other. We are in this as a team."
Walsh said the Cheesemakers have the ability to compete with the top teams like the Crusaders.
"They are know bigger or stronger than we are," he said.
Walsh said a lot of playing strong tennis comes down to confidence.
"I thought Katie played with a lot of heart," Walsh said. "She has really good ground strokes. Chelsea and Eva both played with a lot of heart they were just overmatched."
