ELKHORN — The Cheesemakers dropped a pair of duals against conference foes Stoughton and Monona Grove April 2 and 3 at the Four Lakes Athletic Club.
In the 5-2 loss to Stoughton, Monroe received wins from Alicia Brunton at No. 4 singles and sisters Melena and Bella Brunton at No. 2 doubles. Alicia Brunton defeated Eve Wevley 6-4, 6-4.
“(Alicia) was steady her whole match. It was fun to see her continue to work on approach shots and finishing at the net,” said Monroe coach Matt Bordner. “She’s found a steady rhythm at the No. 4 spot and continues to find out her identity as a player.”
The Brunton doubles tandem won 6-3, 7-6 (5), but dropped from the top flight to the second flight for the match, one of several adjustments Bordner made to the lineup.
“We came into this match with our first lineup changes of the season,” Bordner said. “They continued their solid play together and were able to come out on top in their match. They limited their errors and each match continue to build better chemistry and are starting to get a really good feel for where each other is at during points. Their mental part understanding of the game is strong and helps them keep steady during their matches which I love.”
Taking over at No. 1 doubles were Sydney Conway and Maddy Wels, who lost to Stoughton’s Mikayla Wheeler and Lexi Abing 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5).
“We felt it was time for challenge matches in practice and Sydnee Conway and Maddy Wels both seemed to rise to the top out of our doubles players,” Bordner said. “They played one of the tightest matches I’ve seen. We had a 5-2 lead in the first set but couldn’t quite close it out. We lost that set in a tiebreaker and then fought a close second set that also ended in a tiebreaker loss.”
Bordner said the new top-flight pairing’s ability to get around the court and make plays was exciting to see, and it added to the intensity of the match. “I wish our season was a little bit longer, because I think they have a pretty high ceiling together.”
At No. 1 singles, Kylie Miller lost 6-2, 6-2. Cecily Burch and Allison Wunschel were swept 6-0, 6-0 in their No. 2 and 3 singles matches.
At No. 3 doubles, Morgan Johnson and Bre Giasson lost 6-4, 6-3 despite playing together for the first time.
“They battled hard as well. Bre continues to improve in what is really her first month of tennis, and Morgan keeps making strides on her court awareness,” Bordner said. “These two have some strengths in their game they will be able to lean on and will no-doubt find ways to stay in matches moving forward.”
The following Day, Monroe lost to Monona Grove 5-2, with Alicia Brunton scoring a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles, and Giasson and Johnson winning 6-4, 6-4 at No. 3 doubles.
“Bre and Morgan had some errors throughout but their aggressiveness and ability to get around the court definitely benefited them,” Bordner said.
Miller lost to Maggie Davis 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, while Burch fell 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles and Allison Wunschel 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3.
In doubles play, Conway and Wells were blanked 6-0, 6-0 against the high-level tandem of Marissa Light and Kate Walsh. Melena and Bella Brunton lost at No. 2 doubles, 6-1, 7-5.
Monroe was slated to get back out on the courts April 6 at Janesville Parker for a dual. Subsectionals are right around the corner as well, with the Cheesemakers being paired for an April 12 or 13 date at Stoughton with Verona, Oregon and Edgerton. Sectionals are set for April 14 or 15 at Janesville Craig, with individual state April 22-23 at Badger High School and Lake Geneva Tennis Club.
