MONROE - Monroe junior Ellie Grossen had a chance to play in the WIAA state tennis tournament last year. Grossen entered this season with a new partner in junior Chandra McGuire and they turned in a stellar debut in the season opener against McFarland on Thursday, Aug. 16.
Grossen and McGuire got off to a smashing start at No. 1 doubles defeating Monona Grove's Joelle Mueting and Sarah Ali 6-2, 7-5. The Cheesemakers dropped the match as a team 5-2 to the Spartans. It marked the first varsity match for four of the Cheesemakers' players.
"We knew coming in that McFarland was a very good team and had a lot of players back from last year," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "I like starting against a good team. I like this better than playing someone who is not as tough that can give us a false sense of security. All of the girls could see what a varsity match was like and could see how they could improve."
The other win for the Cheesemakers came from the No. 2 doubles team of Allie Coplien and Chelsea Miller which defeated Tori Cooper and Rachel Roisum 6-3, 6-3.
Saugstad said both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams were aggressive going to the net and putting balls away.
"Allie and Chelsea had a lot of nice serves," he said. "They played a solid match. They seem to work together pretty well."
McFarland's Abby Polipnick defeated Macayla Quinn at No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Megan Speich defeated Monroe's Alisa Fager 6-1, 6-2. McFarland's Andrea Butcher defeated Sarah Sabatke 6-0, 6-1. At No. 4 singles, Monroe's Sarah Wong lost to Katie Heitman 6-0, 6-2. The Cheesemakers' No. 3 doubles duo of Paige Prien and Amber Jenson lost to Sabrina Fillmore and Melanie Aust 6-3, 6-1.
The Cheesemakers will host the Monroe Doubles tournament on Saturday.
"Hopefully, we can build off of this going into the doubles tournament," Saugstad said. "My goal is for a top-three finish. We have a team better suited for doubles right now."
Grossen and McGuire got off to a smashing start at No. 1 doubles defeating Monona Grove's Joelle Mueting and Sarah Ali 6-2, 7-5. The Cheesemakers dropped the match as a team 5-2 to the Spartans. It marked the first varsity match for four of the Cheesemakers' players.
"We knew coming in that McFarland was a very good team and had a lot of players back from last year," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "I like starting against a good team. I like this better than playing someone who is not as tough that can give us a false sense of security. All of the girls could see what a varsity match was like and could see how they could improve."
The other win for the Cheesemakers came from the No. 2 doubles team of Allie Coplien and Chelsea Miller which defeated Tori Cooper and Rachel Roisum 6-3, 6-3.
Saugstad said both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams were aggressive going to the net and putting balls away.
"Allie and Chelsea had a lot of nice serves," he said. "They played a solid match. They seem to work together pretty well."
McFarland's Abby Polipnick defeated Macayla Quinn at No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-0. At No. 2 singles, Megan Speich defeated Monroe's Alisa Fager 6-1, 6-2. McFarland's Andrea Butcher defeated Sarah Sabatke 6-0, 6-1. At No. 4 singles, Monroe's Sarah Wong lost to Katie Heitman 6-0, 6-2. The Cheesemakers' No. 3 doubles duo of Paige Prien and Amber Jenson lost to Sabrina Fillmore and Melanie Aust 6-3, 6-1.
The Cheesemakers will host the Monroe Doubles tournament on Saturday.
"Hopefully, we can build off of this going into the doubles tournament," Saugstad said. "My goal is for a top-three finish. We have a team better suited for doubles right now."
