MONROE - Junior Maggie Setterstrom picked up a win at No. 2 singles, but the Monroe High School girls tennis team lost a nonconference dual to McFarland 6-1 on Monday.
Setterstrom defeated McFarland junior Berit Spilde 6-4, 6-3.
"Even though we took a 6-1 loss, I think we can take a lot of positives from tonight's match," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said in an email. "We have some things to work on, but we will be right back on the court against DeForest tonight."
Setterstrom trailed 3-0 early in the first set before battling back to beat Spilde.
"Maggie did a nice job of changing pace on her shots and trying to keep the ball out of the middle of the court," Saugstad said.
The Cheesemakers had a strong showing from their doubles teams with two of the three matches going three sets.
McFarland juniors Kendra Wendt and Alyssa Obremski at No. 1 doubles defeated Monroe juniors Ashley Placek and Hallie Signer 6-3, 7-5.
"They were moving well but will need to work on stinging their shots a little more," Saugstad said.
At No. 2 doubles, McFarland juniors Maggie Moll and Molly McCauley beat Monroe junior Parris Bunker and sophomore Sam Huizenga 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
"I thought Parris and Sam were moving and putting balls away better tonight than they have all season," he said. "They just hit too many balls into the net."
McFarland's No. 3 doubles team of juniors Alli Hartmann and Minnie Moll edged Monroe junior Kiara Miller and senior Liz Skatrud 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
At No. 1 singles, McFarland senior Shelby Riese defeated Monroe's Grace Tostrud 6-3, 6-1.
"Grace put together some good points and had stretches where things were looking good," Saugstad said. "Grace is only a freshman. As she becomes more consistent and learns to pick her spots and attack things will only get better."
Freshman Jensen Christensen at No. 3 singles fell to McFarland junior Tori Budnar-Chapman 6-4, 6-2. At No. 4 singles, McFarland freshman Michelle Butcher defeated Monroe junior Skye Allen 6-2, 6-3.
Two of the Cheesemakers' top three singles players are freshmen, and Saugstad likes the progress they are making.
"Jensen Christensen at No. 3 singles played a nice match," he said. "Her opponent hit well and put a lot of pressure on Jensen, but Jensen played a lot of long points. Just like Grace, Jensen is only a freshman who will improve more and more when she learns how to construct a point.
"For all of our singles players it comes down to consistently putting balls in play and figuring out a strong strategy."
Setterstrom defeated McFarland junior Berit Spilde 6-4, 6-3.
"Even though we took a 6-1 loss, I think we can take a lot of positives from tonight's match," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said in an email. "We have some things to work on, but we will be right back on the court against DeForest tonight."
Setterstrom trailed 3-0 early in the first set before battling back to beat Spilde.
"Maggie did a nice job of changing pace on her shots and trying to keep the ball out of the middle of the court," Saugstad said.
The Cheesemakers had a strong showing from their doubles teams with two of the three matches going three sets.
McFarland juniors Kendra Wendt and Alyssa Obremski at No. 1 doubles defeated Monroe juniors Ashley Placek and Hallie Signer 6-3, 7-5.
"They were moving well but will need to work on stinging their shots a little more," Saugstad said.
At No. 2 doubles, McFarland juniors Maggie Moll and Molly McCauley beat Monroe junior Parris Bunker and sophomore Sam Huizenga 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
"I thought Parris and Sam were moving and putting balls away better tonight than they have all season," he said. "They just hit too many balls into the net."
McFarland's No. 3 doubles team of juniors Alli Hartmann and Minnie Moll edged Monroe junior Kiara Miller and senior Liz Skatrud 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.
At No. 1 singles, McFarland senior Shelby Riese defeated Monroe's Grace Tostrud 6-3, 6-1.
"Grace put together some good points and had stretches where things were looking good," Saugstad said. "Grace is only a freshman. As she becomes more consistent and learns to pick her spots and attack things will only get better."
Freshman Jensen Christensen at No. 3 singles fell to McFarland junior Tori Budnar-Chapman 6-4, 6-2. At No. 4 singles, McFarland freshman Michelle Butcher defeated Monroe junior Skye Allen 6-2, 6-3.
Two of the Cheesemakers' top three singles players are freshmen, and Saugstad likes the progress they are making.
"Jensen Christensen at No. 3 singles played a nice match," he said. "Her opponent hit well and put a lot of pressure on Jensen, but Jensen played a lot of long points. Just like Grace, Jensen is only a freshman who will improve more and more when she learns how to construct a point.
"For all of our singles players it comes down to consistently putting balls in play and figuring out a strong strategy."
