LODI — Monroe won three matches at the WIAA Division 2 Lodi subsectional, but none of the Cheesemakers advanced to sectionals, thus ending their season.
“It really was a fun season with a lot of growth, and I was really proud of how we battled all day. This season saw a bunch of close and competitive matches, and today was no different,” said Monroe coach Matt Bordner. “It will be tough losing such a solid senior class, as many of them have been around the program for a while and it’s been fun to see them grow. Fortunately, we were able to develop quite a few younger players this year, but we definitely will have to keep working to make that next jump as a team.”
At No. 1 singles, senior Kylie Miller was still hobbled by a sprained ankle and lost her only match of the day, 6-1, 6-1 to Edgerton’s Zoe Lein.
“Kylie had a rematch with Edgerton but unfortunately was playing with a pretty bad sprained ankle from last week and just didn’t have the mobility she usually does. She ends a really solid 3-year varsity career on our girls tennis team and was an excellent captain for us this year,” Bordner said.
At No. 2 singles, Alicia Brunton lost 6-2, 6-0, but the match was closer than it appeared, Bordner said. “She was down 1-4 in the first set but 3 of the games she lost were ones where she had game points. If she flips those, she easily could have been up 4-1 but just couldn’t get the important points. It shows how close she was though and I think is a testament to her ability to keep the ball in play,” Bordner said.
Bella Brunton nearly pulled off a big upset at No. 3 singles. Playing as the No. 7 seed vs. second-seeded Lilly Duddeck of Jefferson, she was up 6-5 in the second set, ready to force a third-set tiebreaker. Instead, Duddeck rallied to take the match 6-2, 7-6 (6). “Again, it was a really gritty performance and one that showed how well our girls battle,” Bordner said.
Kate Kundert won her first match at No. 4 singles against Wayland Academy’s Keza Rutembesa 6-4, 6-0, but lost in the second round to Edgewood’s Hannah Poehling 6-1, 6-0, which ended her season. “She played a really great Edgewood player,” Bordner said. “Kate won her first match in the pigtail round and played really well. I think it was Kate’s best tennis of the season, and for her to get this experience her sophomore year playing in subsectionals is really cool.”
At No. 1 doubles, sophomores Lindsey Leuzinger and Lydia Setterstrom won their first match over Wayland Academy 6-1, 6-1, but were blanked by Edgewood in the second round, 6-0, 6-0. “Lindsey was a direct substitution for us as Syd Conway was unable to play in subsectionals due to a death in the family,” Bordner said. “Again, for Lydia and Lindsey to get experience like this at subsectionals during their sophomore year is just so valuable.”
Morgan Johnson and Melena Brunton won their roller coaster opening match at No. 2 doubles over Jefferson 6-4, 4-6, 7-5. A round later, it was another Madison Edgewood duo that ended a season for a Cheesemaker pairing — this time 6-0, 6-1.
“Two-doubles played a really great first round match as the 5-seed and beat the 4-seed Jefferson. Melena and Morgan both balanced each other out pretty well and were able to keep their heads in it as there were many momentum shifts throughout their match,” Bordner said. “Morgan’s serve was a strength all day and Melena just continued to play really consistent tennis like she has all season. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get anything going in their next round against Edgewood.”
Bre Giasson and Allison Wunschel saw their season come to an end in the first round after a tough battle at No. 3 doubles. The duo dropped its match to Lake Mills 6-4, 7-5.
“We lost the first set 4-6 but kept our composure and really worked hard to stay around in the second set. The second set was really tight but Bre and Allison were able to force a second set tiebreaker, but unfortunately just again lost another close one,” Bordner said. “Bre and Allison probably were one of the best 3 doubles teams I’ve coached in girls tennis thus far, and while their record doesn’t show it, they definitely earned the respect of every opponent they played. They consistently found ways to keep matches close but just seemed to come up a point or two short.”
