MADISON - Monroe sophomore Ellie Grossen was hesitant at the start of the season about her No. 1 doubles partnership with senior Brooke McBain.
"I was really nervous," Grossen said. "I didn't want to make her mad because we are friends. It turned out for the best."
The amazing season for McBain and Grossen came to an end at the WIAA Division 2 tennis tournament Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium. McBain and Grossen lost to No. 1 seed Meghan Linehan and Margaret Feller of Notre Dame de la Baie Academy.
"It felt really good that we were able to get as far as Kelsey (Erickson) and I did last year," McBain said of the second-round run to state last year. "It's kind of like a different level of tennis than what we have played. It's not like during the season."
Linehan and Feller are a pair of powerful hitters who relied on driving shots that were tough for the Cheesemaker duo to handle.
"They definitely have power," Monroe coach Stephanie Miller said. "The only other team that we have faced like that is Edgewood. We struggle with power. When we come up against power we are just not able to keep up. We wanted them to attack the net as fast as they could. We felt trying to hit a volley against power was better than trying to hit a ground shot."
Miller said McBain and Grossen struggled with nerves early on because of the anticipation of playing the No. 1 seed.
"They went out there and played their best," Miller said. "They played some great points today. It was a good way to end the season."
McBain and Grossen finished the season 18-8 and were the fourth straight Monroe No. 1 doubles team to qualify for state. Grossen has two more years of tennis and she's looking forward to the challenge of getting back to state.
"It's something I would like to return to," Grossen said. "I will definitely have to work really hard. It will take a lot."
Miller is hoping to find another No. 1 doubles team that can develop into a state qualifier.
"Ellie is busy in the offseason," Miller said. "Hopefully, this will make her want to come back. Hopefully, we can find someone to play with her next year so she can get back."
"I was really nervous," Grossen said. "I didn't want to make her mad because we are friends. It turned out for the best."
The amazing season for McBain and Grossen came to an end at the WIAA Division 2 tennis tournament Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium. McBain and Grossen lost to No. 1 seed Meghan Linehan and Margaret Feller of Notre Dame de la Baie Academy.
"It felt really good that we were able to get as far as Kelsey (Erickson) and I did last year," McBain said of the second-round run to state last year. "It's kind of like a different level of tennis than what we have played. It's not like during the season."
Linehan and Feller are a pair of powerful hitters who relied on driving shots that were tough for the Cheesemaker duo to handle.
"They definitely have power," Monroe coach Stephanie Miller said. "The only other team that we have faced like that is Edgewood. We struggle with power. When we come up against power we are just not able to keep up. We wanted them to attack the net as fast as they could. We felt trying to hit a volley against power was better than trying to hit a ground shot."
Miller said McBain and Grossen struggled with nerves early on because of the anticipation of playing the No. 1 seed.
"They went out there and played their best," Miller said. "They played some great points today. It was a good way to end the season."
McBain and Grossen finished the season 18-8 and were the fourth straight Monroe No. 1 doubles team to qualify for state. Grossen has two more years of tennis and she's looking forward to the challenge of getting back to state.
"It's something I would like to return to," Grossen said. "I will definitely have to work really hard. It will take a lot."
Miller is hoping to find another No. 1 doubles team that can develop into a state qualifier.
"Ellie is busy in the offseason," Miller said. "Hopefully, this will make her want to come back. Hopefully, we can find someone to play with her next year so she can get back."
