MONROE - Brad Saugstad and Chris Garrow are used to being rivals on the tennis court. On Sunday, they became champions together.
Saugstad and Garrow won the 41st annual city doubles tournament by defeating Al Schroeder and Scott Schleis 6-4, 6-4. They used some strong net play to win several long volleys to clinch the title.
"I knew there would be some pressure," Garrow said. Saugstad and Garrow each previously won two doubles titles with different partners, but this was their first championship together.
"We have played against each other a lot," said Saugstad who is the Monroe boys tennis coach. "This is the first time we have played together. It exceeded my expectations a lot."
Garrow last won the title in 2001, teaming with Mike Nortman to defeat Saugstad and Aaron Knautz.
"I saw the draw and the expectations," Garrow said.
After a first round bye, Saugstad and Garrow defeated Willie Noriega and Frank Meier 6-2, 6-4 to get the championship shot. Frank Westphal and Subramany Datta defeated Noriega and Meier in the third place match 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
"The key was we kept our volleys low," Saugstad said of the title match. "They both like to hit from the baseline. We made them come to the net and hit some volleys."
During one stretch in the title match, Garrow had four faults in a row before he composed himself and rebounded.
"I was choking," he said. "I settled down for the last two games. I just had to focus on not trying to hit a screaming serve. I had to focus and get it in. In doubles that is how you should be playing all the time."
In the Class B division, Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan defeated Emily Grossen and Kelsey Erickson for the title 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. It's the first time the sophomore duo has played doubles together.
In the second set, Noriega and Monahan struggled putting balls away and serving.
"I thought in the second set they played better," Noriega said. "We were just getting mad. We knew we had to play our best in the third set to win."
Monahan said he was able to get his serves in a lot more in the third set.
"I struggled at the net putting the ball away," Monahan said of the second set. "I had some consistency issues. In the third set, we started getting our usual shots in a lot more. We got a little bit more confidence and we were able to be more aggressive with shots."
Noriega and Monahan defeated Eric Vale and Vince Wartenweiler in the first round 6-0, 6-0. In the semifinals, Noriega and Monahan pulled out a three set win over Ben Guptil and Jess Hager, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4. Guptil and Hager defeated Jeremy Miller and Bob Seichter in the third place match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Noriega was just excited to be back on the court playing tennis after he misses most of the spring season with a back injury.
"It's over now," he said. "I'm healthy."
Saugstad and Garrow won the 41st annual city doubles tournament by defeating Al Schroeder and Scott Schleis 6-4, 6-4. They used some strong net play to win several long volleys to clinch the title.
"I knew there would be some pressure," Garrow said. Saugstad and Garrow each previously won two doubles titles with different partners, but this was their first championship together.
"We have played against each other a lot," said Saugstad who is the Monroe boys tennis coach. "This is the first time we have played together. It exceeded my expectations a lot."
Garrow last won the title in 2001, teaming with Mike Nortman to defeat Saugstad and Aaron Knautz.
"I saw the draw and the expectations," Garrow said.
After a first round bye, Saugstad and Garrow defeated Willie Noriega and Frank Meier 6-2, 6-4 to get the championship shot. Frank Westphal and Subramany Datta defeated Noriega and Meier in the third place match 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
"The key was we kept our volleys low," Saugstad said of the title match. "They both like to hit from the baseline. We made them come to the net and hit some volleys."
During one stretch in the title match, Garrow had four faults in a row before he composed himself and rebounded.
"I was choking," he said. "I settled down for the last two games. I just had to focus on not trying to hit a screaming serve. I had to focus and get it in. In doubles that is how you should be playing all the time."
In the Class B division, Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan defeated Emily Grossen and Kelsey Erickson for the title 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. It's the first time the sophomore duo has played doubles together.
In the second set, Noriega and Monahan struggled putting balls away and serving.
"I thought in the second set they played better," Noriega said. "We were just getting mad. We knew we had to play our best in the third set to win."
Monahan said he was able to get his serves in a lot more in the third set.
"I struggled at the net putting the ball away," Monahan said of the second set. "I had some consistency issues. In the third set, we started getting our usual shots in a lot more. We got a little bit more confidence and we were able to be more aggressive with shots."
Noriega and Monahan defeated Eric Vale and Vince Wartenweiler in the first round 6-0, 6-0. In the semifinals, Noriega and Monahan pulled out a three set win over Ben Guptil and Jess Hager, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4. Guptil and Hager defeated Jeremy Miller and Bob Seichter in the third place match 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Noriega was just excited to be back on the court playing tennis after he misses most of the spring season with a back injury.
"It's over now," he said. "I'm healthy."
