MONROE - The Monroe boys tennis team escaped Watertown 4-3 in a dual match Monday.
With the win, Monroe improves to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the Badger South Conference.
"This was a fantastic team effort by the guys today," Monroe coach Matt Bordner said. "There were a lot of tight matches, and we were able to come out on top in most of them which made the difference. Coming into this match, we had some nice momentum from the Whitewater triangular and a lot of our guys are starting to get more and more comfortable out there on the court. We're making strides with our strokes which is great to see and I think our guys play with a lot of energy and hustle which can make the difference in some of these tight matches."
Monroe freshman Bo Bahler, at No. 2 singles, defeated Watertown's Marcus Bird in three sets 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-1. Fellow freshman Christopher Andraski beat Watertown's Saleh Ahmed at No. 3 singles 6-4, 7-6 (1).
"Chris knows his strengths and continues to utilize them this season," Bordner said. "He has a lot of stamina which is good, because most of his matches last close to 2 hours. He is a true grinder and plays with patience and poise."
In the other singles matches, Watertown's Michael Kuckkau beat Monroe sophomore Spencer Adamo 6-3, 6-2 and the Goslings' Sam Will, at No. 4 singles, defeated Monroe sophomore Landon Knobel 6-2, 6-1.
"Spencer Adamo fought a tight battle again at the top flight," Bordner said. "He battles day in and day out, and I think he left a few games out there that he wishes he had back. Even though he lost, I'm really proud of his effort and mental toughness."
The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles team of seniors David Keegan and Nick Quinn rolled to a 6-2, 6-3 win over the Goslings' Trevor Oppermann and Yoshka Munyon.
"I was especially proud of our doubles teams again tonight. All 3 teams fought hard," he said. "David Keegan and Nick Quinn continued to be steady for us at doubles. Their senior leadership has been great so far. They are getting really comfortable playing together, and their communication and footwork continues to improve. They are both so lengthy and strong at the net which allows them to win a lot of their points."
At No. 3 doubles, the Cheesemakers' Luke Quinn and Wade Sweeney edged Watertown's Matt Leper and Josh Vana in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
"I think it again just shows great mental toughness to lose a close first set and be able to bounce back from that and not hang your heads," Bordner said of Luke Quinn and Sweeney. "I think that might be the difference between our team this year and last year. Our focus is there and our ability to keep battling and stay confident has been impressive. Tennis is a very mental sport and these guys continue to impress me with how resilient they are."
At No. 1 doubles, Watertown's Isak Jensen and Jack Mattke defeated Monroe juniors Evan Thomspon and Nick Schumacher 6-2, 6-4.
Monroe hosts Madison Edgewood at 4:15 p.m. today.
With the win, Monroe improves to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the Badger South Conference.
"This was a fantastic team effort by the guys today," Monroe coach Matt Bordner said. "There were a lot of tight matches, and we were able to come out on top in most of them which made the difference. Coming into this match, we had some nice momentum from the Whitewater triangular and a lot of our guys are starting to get more and more comfortable out there on the court. We're making strides with our strokes which is great to see and I think our guys play with a lot of energy and hustle which can make the difference in some of these tight matches."
Monroe freshman Bo Bahler, at No. 2 singles, defeated Watertown's Marcus Bird in three sets 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-1. Fellow freshman Christopher Andraski beat Watertown's Saleh Ahmed at No. 3 singles 6-4, 7-6 (1).
"Chris knows his strengths and continues to utilize them this season," Bordner said. "He has a lot of stamina which is good, because most of his matches last close to 2 hours. He is a true grinder and plays with patience and poise."
In the other singles matches, Watertown's Michael Kuckkau beat Monroe sophomore Spencer Adamo 6-3, 6-2 and the Goslings' Sam Will, at No. 4 singles, defeated Monroe sophomore Landon Knobel 6-2, 6-1.
"Spencer Adamo fought a tight battle again at the top flight," Bordner said. "He battles day in and day out, and I think he left a few games out there that he wishes he had back. Even though he lost, I'm really proud of his effort and mental toughness."
The Cheesemakers' No. 2 doubles team of seniors David Keegan and Nick Quinn rolled to a 6-2, 6-3 win over the Goslings' Trevor Oppermann and Yoshka Munyon.
"I was especially proud of our doubles teams again tonight. All 3 teams fought hard," he said. "David Keegan and Nick Quinn continued to be steady for us at doubles. Their senior leadership has been great so far. They are getting really comfortable playing together, and their communication and footwork continues to improve. They are both so lengthy and strong at the net which allows them to win a lot of their points."
At No. 3 doubles, the Cheesemakers' Luke Quinn and Wade Sweeney edged Watertown's Matt Leper and Josh Vana in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
"I think it again just shows great mental toughness to lose a close first set and be able to bounce back from that and not hang your heads," Bordner said of Luke Quinn and Sweeney. "I think that might be the difference between our team this year and last year. Our focus is there and our ability to keep battling and stay confident has been impressive. Tennis is a very mental sport and these guys continue to impress me with how resilient they are."
At No. 1 doubles, Watertown's Isak Jensen and Jack Mattke defeated Monroe juniors Evan Thomspon and Nick Schumacher 6-2, 6-4.
Monroe hosts Madison Edgewood at 4:15 p.m. today.
