MONROE - Wooden rackets were the standard when Monroe coach Jim Bartholf started coaching tennis.

In 1965, a steel racket was patented by the French player Rene Lacoste, Arthur Ashe was in the midst of winning a national championship at UCLA and Bartholf was jumping into coaching. Bartholf enters his 44th year coaching boys tennis and he's hoping for another evolution in tennis this year - a trip to state.

"I think I'm one of the oldest coaches in the state," Bartholf said. "I like the kids and they still seem to listen."

Bartholf is the third winningest coach in the state, but he's humble when it comes to his love for teaching tennis.

"That's because of longevity," he said of being one of the state's winningest coaches.

There's been just two days of practice, but with an international flavor and a loaded singles lineup, the Monroe boys tennis team has big expectations. Bartholf welcomes them.

"I think we have a better chance this year than we have had the last five years to win the conference," he said. "I think we have an excellent shot to go to the state team tournament."

The Cheesemakers return their top four singles players in sophomore Carson Root, and seniors Matt Le, Dan Becker and Artem Beer.

However, the Cheesemakers' No. 1 singles player this year will be Lauri Juonela, an AFS exchange student from Finland.

"He is very skilled," Bartholf said. "He has beautiful strokes, volleys and serves. He is one of the quicker players I have seen in quite a while and he is left-handed."

The Cheesemakers are expected to be dominant in singles play.

"We will have our best singles lineup we have had in a half dozen years," Bartholf said. "I could probably go down six deep."

Monroe will have to replace the No. 1 doubles team of Matt Turek and Levi Janssens, who qualified for state last year.

"My main job this year is to get some doubles teams," Bartholf said.

Seniors Jim Kundert and Mark Hoesly played doubles together last year, but Bartholf may split up his two most experienced doubles players.

Although he played No. 3 singles last year, Beer could play No. 1 doubles with Kundert.

Bartholf said Kundert and Beer have been practicing and playing tennis together throughout the offseason.

"They could be my No. 1 doubles team," he said. "I think they would probably have the edge at the No. 1 spot."

Becker, who played No. 4 singles last year may make the transition to doubles. The other players vying for doubles spots include junior Patrick Gellings, sophomore Garrett Tschanz and junior Eric Knudtson.

"No matter what doubles teams I come up with, they will be good," Bartholf said. "(Knudtson) may be the No. 4 singles player, but I'm not sure yet. He will figure into the mix."

Monroe juniors Garrett Grinnell and Jakob Baertschi will give the Cheesemakers depth and could play either singles or doubles.

Bartholf expects the Cheesemakers to contend for a Badger South Conference title with Madison Edgewood. With Verona and McFarland moving out of the Badger South, that opens the door for Monroe. Some challenges could come from Monona Grove and Oregon.

"I think it will be Monroe or Edgewood for the conference and sectional," Bartholf said. "It's not all cake for us."

Monroe will open the season at the Janesville Quad April 11.