MONROE - The calling card for the Monroe girls tennis team this year is a quartet of experienced singles players.
The Cheesemakers won three of the four singles matches and received big performances from two doubles teams en route to a 5-2 win over McFarland Thursday.
"It's nice to have four strong singles players," Monroe coach Stephanie Miller said. "That's our strength this year. Hopefully, our singles players will provide some leadership for our doubles players."
Monroe senior Kristin McArdle, who was a state qualifier at No. 1 singles last year, defeated McFarland's Jenny Ujke 6-4, 6-4. Monroe junior Ellie Shuda (6-0) remained unbeaten at No. 2 singles by defeating Abby Polipnick 6-4, 6-4. Senior Alyssa Quinn, at No. 4 singles, beat Rebecca Young 6-2, 6-4.
Monroe senior Kelsey Erickson and junior Brooke McBain, at No. 1 doubles, defeated McFarland's Erin Campbell and Megan Schumaker 6-1, 6-0.
"We are just trying to figure out what works for winning a match," Erickson said.
Erickson, who teamed with Ashley Hermanson last year to qualify for state at No. 1 doubles, is now looking to develop a partnership with McBain.
"The biggest challenge is probably just getting used to how each other plays," Erickson said.
McBain said she is more of a baseline player.
"Usually, if I lob it, she (Erickson) puts it down," McBain said.
Miller is confident the two will develop a rapport with time.
"They have become more comfortable with each other," Miller said. "They are both good players. The more they play with each other, they will gain more confidence."
The Cheesemakers' No. 3 doubles team of senior Elisabeth Brunner and freshman Ellie Grossen defeated McFarland's Larissa Greene and Megan Speich 6-1, 6-0.
"I was really impressed with them," Miller said. "They played an excellent match."
The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles senior duo of Becca Flannery and Rachel Thompson lost to Autumn Schmidt and Teagan Birrenkott 6-1, 6-4.
Monroe junior Lily Priewe, at No. 3 singles, lost her first match of the season to McFarland's Madeline Blankeship in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
"I tend to hit it straight down the middle too much," Priewe said. "Today I wasn't moving very much. She was making me move pretty good and I wasn't moving fast enough."
Monroe hosts the Cheesemakers Doubles tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The Cheesemakers won three of the four singles matches and received big performances from two doubles teams en route to a 5-2 win over McFarland Thursday.
"It's nice to have four strong singles players," Monroe coach Stephanie Miller said. "That's our strength this year. Hopefully, our singles players will provide some leadership for our doubles players."
Monroe senior Kristin McArdle, who was a state qualifier at No. 1 singles last year, defeated McFarland's Jenny Ujke 6-4, 6-4. Monroe junior Ellie Shuda (6-0) remained unbeaten at No. 2 singles by defeating Abby Polipnick 6-4, 6-4. Senior Alyssa Quinn, at No. 4 singles, beat Rebecca Young 6-2, 6-4.
Monroe senior Kelsey Erickson and junior Brooke McBain, at No. 1 doubles, defeated McFarland's Erin Campbell and Megan Schumaker 6-1, 6-0.
"We are just trying to figure out what works for winning a match," Erickson said.
Erickson, who teamed with Ashley Hermanson last year to qualify for state at No. 1 doubles, is now looking to develop a partnership with McBain.
"The biggest challenge is probably just getting used to how each other plays," Erickson said.
McBain said she is more of a baseline player.
"Usually, if I lob it, she (Erickson) puts it down," McBain said.
Miller is confident the two will develop a rapport with time.
"They have become more comfortable with each other," Miller said. "They are both good players. The more they play with each other, they will gain more confidence."
The Cheesemakers' No. 3 doubles team of senior Elisabeth Brunner and freshman Ellie Grossen defeated McFarland's Larissa Greene and Megan Speich 6-1, 6-0.
"I was really impressed with them," Miller said. "They played an excellent match."
The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles senior duo of Becca Flannery and Rachel Thompson lost to Autumn Schmidt and Teagan Birrenkott 6-1, 6-4.
Monroe junior Lily Priewe, at No. 3 singles, lost her first match of the season to McFarland's Madeline Blankeship in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
"I tend to hit it straight down the middle too much," Priewe said. "Today I wasn't moving very much. She was making me move pretty good and I wasn't moving fast enough."
Monroe hosts the Cheesemakers Doubles tournament at 9 a.m. Saturday.
