The Monroe Cheesemakers had five players compete at the WIAA Boys Tennis Championships at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison that began on Thursday, June 4.

In the first day of competition, Monroe’s Alex Gerrits played against No. 7 seed Wyatt Andrew from University Lake School and lost in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. With the loss, Gerrits was eliminated from the tournament and finished the season 13-14.

Also on Thursday, Monroe’s Carsen Bartholf and Hamilton Stites faced Shorewood’s Andrew Joeckel and Max Hemann in doubles but lost in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Bartholf and Stites ended their season 17-7 and finished their careers as two-time state qualifiers.

The Cheesemakers’ doubles team of Travis Saunders and Grayson Bartholf played against Judah Edlund and Josh Henke of Greendale Martin Luther and won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. The win improved Saunders and Bartholf to 28-2 and advanced to day two of the tennis tournament.

In the second round on Friday, June 5, Saunders and Bartholf matched up against sixth-seeded Leo Geisler and Oden Swanson of Madison Country Day. Saunders and Bartholf won the first set 7-6, but lost the second set 6-4, then lost the tiebreaker 10-3, eliminating them from the tournament.

Along with the performance of his players, Monroe coach Matt Bordner was impressed by the large turnout of fans cheering on the Cheesemakers and is encouraged by what’s in store for the future.

“Looking ahead, our team is definitely positioned for a lot more success in the coming years as long as we continue to put in work. A big part of improving is competing, figuring out what you need to improve on, and then putting in a ton of work. If we continue to do that, the sky is the limit,” said Bordner.