MADISON - If Monroe Finnish exchange student senior Lauri Juonela could put one object in a time capsule from his time at Monroe, he might select his tennis racket.
Juonela, Monroe's No. 1 singles player, pumped his fist and raised his arms as he screamed in celebration after winning a third-set tiebreaker, 10-1, over Columbus Catholic's Peter DeVries in the first round of the WIAA Division 2 state tennis tournament Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
After a graduation practice this morning, Juonela is back on the road to Madison for the second round of the state tournament.
"Of course, no school tomorrow," Juonela said after winning his match. "I was just thinking of how I could win the tiebreaker. I think at some point he just gave up."
Juonela rolled to a 6-2 win in the first set, then dropped the second set 6-4. In the decisive tiebreaker, Juonela knew he had to stay focused to remain in state contention.
Monroe coach Jim Bartholf said he thinks Juonela is the first Cheesemaker to advance to the second round of the state tennis tournament in five years. Bartholf knows what made the difference.
"The key for him is just keeping the ball in play," Bartholf said. "He was too aggressive and went for too much too soon. He did a nice job in the tiebreaker."
Juonela (16-8) will play No. 3 seed Jesse Hardacre of Racine St. Catherine's at noon today in the second round.
"I think all the pressure will be on him (Hardacre). If I play good, I think I can win the match," Juonela said.
Monroe seniors Jim Kundert and Artem Beer lost their first-round match in No. 1 doubles to Shorewood's John Chamberlain and Jake Miller, 6-3, 6-3.
"I think we played pretty good," Kundert said. "They are a very good team. We had a good season. We have nothing to be mad about."
Kundert and Beer finished the season 17-10.
"I think you win some and lose some," Beer said.
Both Beer and Kundert agreed the key to the match was they couldn't break Shorewood's serve. The Cheesemakers' serve was broken once in the first set and twice in the second set.
Not only is Juonela's state tournament run not over, but he didn't even envision playing at the state tournament as an exchange student from Finland.
Juonela remained humble as he arrived to compete on the tennis team.
"When I came, my goal was to make it on the varsity in Monroe," he said.
Juonela played all season at No. 1 singles and broke through at state.
"Here I am and I'm still playing after the first round," Juonela said.
Juonela, Monroe's No. 1 singles player, pumped his fist and raised his arms as he screamed in celebration after winning a third-set tiebreaker, 10-1, over Columbus Catholic's Peter DeVries in the first round of the WIAA Division 2 state tennis tournament Friday at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
After a graduation practice this morning, Juonela is back on the road to Madison for the second round of the state tournament.
"Of course, no school tomorrow," Juonela said after winning his match. "I was just thinking of how I could win the tiebreaker. I think at some point he just gave up."
Juonela rolled to a 6-2 win in the first set, then dropped the second set 6-4. In the decisive tiebreaker, Juonela knew he had to stay focused to remain in state contention.
Monroe coach Jim Bartholf said he thinks Juonela is the first Cheesemaker to advance to the second round of the state tennis tournament in five years. Bartholf knows what made the difference.
"The key for him is just keeping the ball in play," Bartholf said. "He was too aggressive and went for too much too soon. He did a nice job in the tiebreaker."
Juonela (16-8) will play No. 3 seed Jesse Hardacre of Racine St. Catherine's at noon today in the second round.
"I think all the pressure will be on him (Hardacre). If I play good, I think I can win the match," Juonela said.
Monroe seniors Jim Kundert and Artem Beer lost their first-round match in No. 1 doubles to Shorewood's John Chamberlain and Jake Miller, 6-3, 6-3.
"I think we played pretty good," Kundert said. "They are a very good team. We had a good season. We have nothing to be mad about."
Kundert and Beer finished the season 17-10.
"I think you win some and lose some," Beer said.
Both Beer and Kundert agreed the key to the match was they couldn't break Shorewood's serve. The Cheesemakers' serve was broken once in the first set and twice in the second set.
Not only is Juonela's state tournament run not over, but he didn't even envision playing at the state tournament as an exchange student from Finland.
Juonela remained humble as he arrived to compete on the tennis team.
"When I came, my goal was to make it on the varsity in Monroe," he said.
Juonela played all season at No. 1 singles and broke through at state.
"Here I am and I'm still playing after the first round," Juonela said.
