WALWORTH — Monroe proved it has what it takes to compete in the Rock Valley Conference, opening up play with a 5-2 win over Big Foot.

“This was our first conference dual with some really tight matches,” Monroe head coach Matt Bordner said. “I think this team has a strong desire to win, and that willpower probably made the difference down the stretch in their matches. It seems like the Rock Valley teams are going to generally be close in terms of competition, so this gives us a really good start in what should be a competitive conference season.”

The Cheesemakers dropped just two matches, both in three sets. Veteran Leuzinger and underclassmen Adeline Eckerman and Ryann Dahlman continue to reliable pieces in the lineup, Bordner said.