MONROE - The Monroe girls tennis team heads to Madison on Friday and Saturday for the annual Badger Conference Tournament at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on UW-Madison's campus.
All 14 teams from the Badger North and South will compete in an open-bracket format that will see the top seeds get first-round byes.
Monroe eyes potential byes in all three doubles brackets. The No. 1 doubles team of Pam Lehman and Melissa Hill have a conference record of 5-1 and an overall record of 18-3. The duo's only loss was on what the players described as an off day to Madison Edgewood.
"All we really want to do is to beat Edgewood," Hill said.
While the pair may have a good shot getting the No. 1 seed, especially after big wins against Fort Atkinson and Milton's previously unbeaten squad, it is No. 2 and No. 3 doubles that will likely seal byes for Monroe.
The No. 2 doubles team of Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter are an astounding 20-1 this season overall, and an undefeated 6-0 in conference. Kelsey Erickson and Taylor Weis, the No. 3 doubles pair, are also undefeated in conference (6-0) and boast an overall mark of 19-1.
Head coach Stephanie Miller said she believes the Cheesemakers will be the team to beat at conference.
"I think we're going to go far in conference. Especially with our doubles. Our doubles only have one loss, and that was our No. 1's to Edgewood," Miller said. "And I don't think our singles are that far out of reach, either."
In singles, the chances of getting a bye are much slimmer. No. 1 singles player Kristin McArdle has been good all year, but with a conference record of 4-2, McArdle's shot is on the outside looking in for the seeds.
"I think a lot of girls can do well, depending on their seeds," Miller said.
Monroe's No. 2 player, McKenzie Bruce, has missed half of the season with a knee injury. Bruce (4-4 overall, 1-1 conference) started the season at No. 3 singles, but has since been moved to No. 2.
Kiera Berger (14-4, 4-2) has had a fabulous season splitting time between the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. All of her losses on the season have come while playing No. 3 singles. However, after playing some good matches over the past few weeks, Berger may be as ready as ever heading into the tournament.
Emily Grossen has only played in one match on varsity this year, and that was in a loss to Milton this past Monday.
"McKenzie and Emily are basically playing new at No. 2 and No. 4, so there's a shot there. There's really nothing to lose," Miller said.
The first matches start Friday at 9 a.m. and last throughout the day. According to Miller, matches can last beyond 9 p.m. If players wins the majority of their match-ups on Friday, they advance to Saturday where they are guaranteed at least two matches. Typically, the championship matches are played in the afternoon, around 2 or 3 p.m.
For those involved, there really is no other tennis atmosphere in the state like Nielsen Stadium. An indoor facility, spectators tower over the courts to watch any match on any one of 12 courts.
"The good thing about our team is we have all but two people on our team that have played here before. The girls love it," Miller said. "It's a fun and great place. It's very open, you can see all the matches. It's very spectator friendly. It's just got good vibes."
The girls agreed.
"It's sweet," Lehman said. "There are people all over. Every shot there is cheered. It's a good atmosphere."
All 14 teams from the Badger North and South will compete in an open-bracket format that will see the top seeds get first-round byes.
Monroe eyes potential byes in all three doubles brackets. The No. 1 doubles team of Pam Lehman and Melissa Hill have a conference record of 5-1 and an overall record of 18-3. The duo's only loss was on what the players described as an off day to Madison Edgewood.
"All we really want to do is to beat Edgewood," Hill said.
While the pair may have a good shot getting the No. 1 seed, especially after big wins against Fort Atkinson and Milton's previously unbeaten squad, it is No. 2 and No. 3 doubles that will likely seal byes for Monroe.
The No. 2 doubles team of Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter are an astounding 20-1 this season overall, and an undefeated 6-0 in conference. Kelsey Erickson and Taylor Weis, the No. 3 doubles pair, are also undefeated in conference (6-0) and boast an overall mark of 19-1.
Head coach Stephanie Miller said she believes the Cheesemakers will be the team to beat at conference.
"I think we're going to go far in conference. Especially with our doubles. Our doubles only have one loss, and that was our No. 1's to Edgewood," Miller said. "And I don't think our singles are that far out of reach, either."
In singles, the chances of getting a bye are much slimmer. No. 1 singles player Kristin McArdle has been good all year, but with a conference record of 4-2, McArdle's shot is on the outside looking in for the seeds.
"I think a lot of girls can do well, depending on their seeds," Miller said.
Monroe's No. 2 player, McKenzie Bruce, has missed half of the season with a knee injury. Bruce (4-4 overall, 1-1 conference) started the season at No. 3 singles, but has since been moved to No. 2.
Kiera Berger (14-4, 4-2) has had a fabulous season splitting time between the No. 3 and No. 4 spots. All of her losses on the season have come while playing No. 3 singles. However, after playing some good matches over the past few weeks, Berger may be as ready as ever heading into the tournament.
Emily Grossen has only played in one match on varsity this year, and that was in a loss to Milton this past Monday.
"McKenzie and Emily are basically playing new at No. 2 and No. 4, so there's a shot there. There's really nothing to lose," Miller said.
The first matches start Friday at 9 a.m. and last throughout the day. According to Miller, matches can last beyond 9 p.m. If players wins the majority of their match-ups on Friday, they advance to Saturday where they are guaranteed at least two matches. Typically, the championship matches are played in the afternoon, around 2 or 3 p.m.
For those involved, there really is no other tennis atmosphere in the state like Nielsen Stadium. An indoor facility, spectators tower over the courts to watch any match on any one of 12 courts.
"The good thing about our team is we have all but two people on our team that have played here before. The girls love it," Miller said. "It's a fun and great place. It's very open, you can see all the matches. It's very spectator friendly. It's just got good vibes."
The girls agreed.
"It's sweet," Lehman said. "There are people all over. Every shot there is cheered. It's a good atmosphere."
