MONROE - In anticipation of the Badger Conference tennis tournament, Monroe coach Brad Saugstad knew some first-round byes and a chance to enter in third place were on the line in the final dual match of the regular season against Monona Grove.
Monona Grove took a step up on Monroe by edging the Cheesemakers 4-3 Tuesday.
"We knew coming in that Monona Grove had a nice team and it was going to probably be 4-3 one way or another," Saugstad said. "We were just on the wrong end tonight."
The Cheesemakers won two of the three doubles matches. The Monroe senior No. 1 doubles tandem of Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan defeated Monona Grove seniors Sam Taylor and Michael Frisque 6-2, 6-3.
"I was a little worried about this one heading in because Monona Grove likes to fly around the court and take over at the net," Saugstad said. "We have had some problems with teams like that, but Matt and Kevin did a nice job of hitting shots and taking over the net."
At No. 2 doubles, Monroe senior Jeremy Miller and sophomore Kody Althaus beat Monona Grove seniors Patrick Beaty and Luke Maillefer 7-5, 6-3.
"Jeremy and Kody were flat-footed around the net at times in the first set, but fixed that and won a nice second set," Saugstad said. "Both are No. 1 and 2 doubles teams are peaking at the right time and I'm excited about their chances at the doubles event, conference tournament and in sectional play."
Monroe seniors Keyton Friske and Cole Oudinot at No. 3 doubles lost a nail-biter in three sets to the Silver Eagles' Kevin Guenthner and Nikaan Koupaei 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.
Monona Grove won three of the four singles matches. The lone singles win for the Cheesemakers came from senior Rhett Katzenberger at No. 4 singles who defeated Monona Grove senior Don McClain 6-1, 6-0. Monona Grove senior Christian Docter at No. 1 singles defeated Monroe senior David Shon 6-3, 6-2. Monona Grove junior Luke Nelson at No. 2 singles beat Monroe sophomore Silas Setterstrom 6-1, 6-3. At No. 3 singles, Monona Grove senior Jimmy Toal defeated Monroe senior Zach Hendrickson 6-4, 6-0.
"Rhett could have possibly just earned a seed at the conference tournament," Saugstad said.
Monona Grove took a step up on Monroe by edging the Cheesemakers 4-3 Tuesday.
"We knew coming in that Monona Grove had a nice team and it was going to probably be 4-3 one way or another," Saugstad said. "We were just on the wrong end tonight."
The Cheesemakers won two of the three doubles matches. The Monroe senior No. 1 doubles tandem of Kevin Noriega and Matt Monahan defeated Monona Grove seniors Sam Taylor and Michael Frisque 6-2, 6-3.
"I was a little worried about this one heading in because Monona Grove likes to fly around the court and take over at the net," Saugstad said. "We have had some problems with teams like that, but Matt and Kevin did a nice job of hitting shots and taking over the net."
At No. 2 doubles, Monroe senior Jeremy Miller and sophomore Kody Althaus beat Monona Grove seniors Patrick Beaty and Luke Maillefer 7-5, 6-3.
"Jeremy and Kody were flat-footed around the net at times in the first set, but fixed that and won a nice second set," Saugstad said. "Both are No. 1 and 2 doubles teams are peaking at the right time and I'm excited about their chances at the doubles event, conference tournament and in sectional play."
Monroe seniors Keyton Friske and Cole Oudinot at No. 3 doubles lost a nail-biter in three sets to the Silver Eagles' Kevin Guenthner and Nikaan Koupaei 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.
Monona Grove won three of the four singles matches. The lone singles win for the Cheesemakers came from senior Rhett Katzenberger at No. 4 singles who defeated Monona Grove senior Don McClain 6-1, 6-0. Monona Grove senior Christian Docter at No. 1 singles defeated Monroe senior David Shon 6-3, 6-2. Monona Grove junior Luke Nelson at No. 2 singles beat Monroe sophomore Silas Setterstrom 6-1, 6-3. At No. 3 singles, Monona Grove senior Jimmy Toal defeated Monroe senior Zach Hendrickson 6-4, 6-0.
"Rhett could have possibly just earned a seed at the conference tournament," Saugstad said.
