MONROE — In back-to-back duals at Janesville Parker and home against Edgerton, just a few timely bounces could have been the difference between the Cheesemakers winning instead of losing.
On May 28 at Janesville Parker, the Cheesemakers lost 4-3, and on June 1, Edgerton won 5-2, but with two matches going into tiebreakers with Monroe losing 11-9 in each.
“If we pick both of those up, that’s the difference between winning 4-3 and losing 2-5,” said coach Matt Bordner. “I’m proud of how we fought, but there’s a good lesson to learn tonight in maintaining energy and focus throughout an entire match.”
Monroe’s No. 1 singles player Chris Andraski’s return to the court this spring was short-lived. After a nearly 2-week absence with a lower leg injury, he was back for the dual at Janesville Parker, only to reinjure himself while losing his match 6-0, 6-0.
“Unfortunately, Chris’ shin splints flared back,” said Monroe coach Matt Bordner. “Finding ways to replace your top player is very difficult, especially on a young team. However, I’m really happy with how we battled and think that there’s a bright future for a lot of our young players.”
Against Parker, the team had to alter its lineup with its top man down, but when allowed back into a more typical lineup competed much better than in past weeks, though Parker slid by Monroe 4-3.
Winning for Monroe were No. 1 doubles Charlie Frehner and Roidt, as well as No. 3 doubles James Seagreaves and Wes Saunders. Ethan Towne, playing at No. 3 singles, won his match at No. 3 singles over am Walters 6-4, 6-4.
“Ethan Towne played a nice match at No. 3 singles. His opponent was a steady slicer, and Ethan made a few nice adjustments in the match and was able to be more consistent down the stretch which earned him his first win at singles,” Bordner said.
Frehner and Roidt won the top flight doubles match 6-3, 6-3 over Jeremy Schoville and Tanner Thayer.
“Charlie and Aaron continue to be rock solid at their flight, and really have yet to play their best tennis still. They keep improving and I’m optimistic about their ability to close out the season on a little run. I think for them, finding consistent serves is their last step to being a really high-performing doubles team together,” Bordner said.
At No. 3 doubles, the freshman tandem of Seagreaves and Saunders controlled the opening set 6-1, then battled to finish off Tommaso Pizzi and Aaron Miguel in the second set 6-4.
“(They) picked up their first win of the season as well, which was great to see from our freshmen. Wes brings great energy to the court and has found a really steady baseline stroke. James continues to progress with his groundstrokes as well. If he keeps developing his volleys and confidence at the net, he could be a real force on the courts,” Bordner said.
Ryan Mathiason lost a tight No. 2 singles match to Parker’s Cayden Erickson 7-6 (4), 6-3. At No. 4 singles, Miguel Aragon lost to Andrew Nickols 6-4, 6-1.
“Ryan continues to progress and played a really solid player at 2 singles who was previously part of their No. 1 doubles team. Ryan kept finding ways to stay in that match, and I give a lot of credit to his opponent for mentally sticking with it as Ryan made a few nice momentum shifts during the match, but just couldn’t quite breakthrough for a win,” Bordner said. “Miguel played a solid first set, but lost some steam and his footwork got a bit sloppy as the match wore on.”
At No. 2 doubles, Monroe’s Mitch Ferguson and Gavin Eckerman fell 6-2, 6-3.
“Our No. 2 doubles team showed some flashes, but definitely didn’t play their best match together. I think for them, finding the right amount of energy to bring every match is really important, as we looked pretty flat on their court,” Bordner said.
After the Memorial Day weekend break, Monroe returned to the court June 1 against Edgerton.
“This was a big match for us tonight and we came out with great effort. It came down to 2 match tiebreakers, and unfortunately we lost both 11-9,” Bordner said.
Monroe got wins from Roidt and Frehner at No. 1 doubles, 6-0, 6-0, and Saunders and Chris Giasson at No. 3 doubles, 6-0, 6-0.
“Our No. 1 doubles team continues to play well. Winning 6-0, 6-0 was big for them in terms of confidence and should help with seeding at subsectionals hopefully,” Bordner said. “No. 3 doubles took care of business and just controlled their entire match. Chris and Wes will finish the season together at 3-doubles and so it was a nice start to their partnership playing together.”
Ferguson and Tim Olson lost at No. 2 doubles, 3-6, 6-3, 11-9.
“Tim Olson stepped into the lineup to play for Gavin Eckerman and played really well. There are some fundamentals and things to work on obviously, but again it’s another match that we had our chances and came up just short,” Bordner said.
At No. 1 singles, Mathiason lost to Jacob Anderson 6-2, 6-0.
“Ryan Mathiason’s match at 1-singles was definitely closer than the score shows. There were many deuce games and Ryan put himself in good positions to win points. He’s pretty close to making the next step as a singles player and I’m just really excited about the growth he’s made this season,” Bordner said.
Towne lost his No. 2 singles match in a close tiebreaker 5-7, 6-1, 11-9. At No. 3 singles, Seagreaves lost 6-1, 7-6 (5), and Aragon fell at No. 4 singles 6-4, 6-0.
“(Towne) kind of ran out of steam down the stretch. His opponent played a similar style to Ethan and so it was definitely a battle of two guys who like mixing in different shots and extending rallies,” Bordner said. “James Seagreaves played one of his best matches of the season and really settled into a nice second set. He had a chance to push that to a third set tiebreaker but came up short in the second set tiebreaker. He’s another young player that keeps making strides and has a bright future ahead. Miguel struggled in his second set and I think really just had the wind taken from his sails after dropping that first set.”
Edgewood 6, Monroe 1
MONROE — The Crusaders nearly swept the Cheesemakers June 2 in the final dual of the regular season, only for Monroe to score a solid victory at 1-doubles.
“The biggest match of the morning was at No. 1 doubles, where Charlie and Aaron secured a massive 6-1, 6-2 win over a solid Edgewood No. 1 doubles team,” Bordner said.
The Monroe duo defeated Sam Katerov and Austin Buchner 6-1, 6-2.
“Charlie and Aaron played their best tennis of the season and I think we can secure them a really high seed in the subsectional after this match. I’m really proud of how they’ve grown and they just fly around the court together. As a doubles team, their playing their best tennis at the perfect time of the season and it’ll be fun seeing what they do down the stretch here,” Bordner said.
Mathiason and Town were blanked 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 and 2 singles. Seagreaves lost 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, and Aragon fell at No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-0.
Ferguson/Olson lost 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles, and Giasson/Saunders were blanked 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 doubles.
Monroe will take part in the WIAA Division 2 Viroqua Subsectional June 7, and any competitors that advance to the East Troy Sectional will play again June 9. The state tournament for qualifying individuals will be June 17-19 at the Sports Core in Kohler.
