MONROE - The perfect doubles team on the tennis court doesn't always need to talk.
Monroe juniors Ellie Grossen and Chandra McGuire's close friendship off the court has paid dividends when they take the court in a No. 1 doubles match.
"I know her so well, and we are such good friends," Grossen said. "We know what each other will do before we do it."
McGuire agrees with Grossen's assessment.
"We are the same person," McGuire said. "We have a lot of the same strengths."
Grossen and McGuire had formed a formidable bond even before high school, when they played on summer traveling softball teams together. As freshmen they were starters and helped the Monroe softball team get to state. Last year, they were both all-conference softball players and the Cheesemakers finished second at the WIAA Division 2 state tournament.
As the Cheesemakers gear up for the Badger Conference tennis tournament on Friday and Saturday, Grossen and McGuire have high expectations. The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles duo is 15-4 and is in contention for a first-round bye at the conference tournament at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
"We are going in with the mindset that we are going to win," McGuire said. "We will try to win the first game and come out strong."
Grossen said they have the tendency to start slow and then come back in the second set.
"We are hoping at conference we can start out strong and we won't have to come back," Grossen said.
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad believes that Grossen and McGuire can play even better in the conference tournament.
"I still think Ellie and Chandra have another level where they can improve," Saugstad said. "If they can just get their serves going in and have less double faults, I think they could take it up another level."
Madison Edgewood (6-0) enters the conference tournament as the favorite to win the Badger South. Monroe (5-6, 2-4 Badger South) enters the tournament in fifth place out of seven Badger South teams, right behind Oregon (3-2) and Monona Grove (2-3).
"As a team, our goal is to try to beat a couple of teams that beat us during the season," Saugstad said. "I think we can do it. I think our doubles teams can make a run and possibly all get into the semifinals."
The Cheesemakers have several players who haven't played at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium before.
"You never know how they will play until you get there," Saugstad said. "It's intimidating with the crowd above them seeing every line call and foot fault. I think they will be able to do a nice job of focusing on that."
Monroe juniors Ellie Grossen and Chandra McGuire's close friendship off the court has paid dividends when they take the court in a No. 1 doubles match.
"I know her so well, and we are such good friends," Grossen said. "We know what each other will do before we do it."
McGuire agrees with Grossen's assessment.
"We are the same person," McGuire said. "We have a lot of the same strengths."
Grossen and McGuire had formed a formidable bond even before high school, when they played on summer traveling softball teams together. As freshmen they were starters and helped the Monroe softball team get to state. Last year, they were both all-conference softball players and the Cheesemakers finished second at the WIAA Division 2 state tournament.
As the Cheesemakers gear up for the Badger Conference tennis tournament on Friday and Saturday, Grossen and McGuire have high expectations. The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles duo is 15-4 and is in contention for a first-round bye at the conference tournament at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
"We are going in with the mindset that we are going to win," McGuire said. "We will try to win the first game and come out strong."
Grossen said they have the tendency to start slow and then come back in the second set.
"We are hoping at conference we can start out strong and we won't have to come back," Grossen said.
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad believes that Grossen and McGuire can play even better in the conference tournament.
"I still think Ellie and Chandra have another level where they can improve," Saugstad said. "If they can just get their serves going in and have less double faults, I think they could take it up another level."
Madison Edgewood (6-0) enters the conference tournament as the favorite to win the Badger South. Monroe (5-6, 2-4 Badger South) enters the tournament in fifth place out of seven Badger South teams, right behind Oregon (3-2) and Monona Grove (2-3).
"As a team, our goal is to try to beat a couple of teams that beat us during the season," Saugstad said. "I think we can do it. I think our doubles teams can make a run and possibly all get into the semifinals."
The Cheesemakers have several players who haven't played at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium before.
"You never know how they will play until you get there," Saugstad said. "It's intimidating with the crowd above them seeing every line call and foot fault. I think they will be able to do a nice job of focusing on that."
