MADISON - Monroe sent three tennis players to the WIAA Division 2 state tournament in two events (singles and doubles), and both fizzled out in the second round.
Monroe's No. 1 doubles team of seniors Carson Root and Garrett Tschanz found their chemistry early in the season and went unbeaten much of the year. The duo (22-3) suffered its toughest loss of the season during Friday's match at University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The pair fell to Green Bay Notre Dame's Nate Calawers and Nick Del Moral 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-3.
"The first set started off with everyone winning their serving games until 4-4 when we got broke," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "Our level of play then dropped to start the second set, as we were missing some shots and not always making the best choices and we got down 0-3."
The duo came back to win seven of the next nine games in the set, the last of which was a tie-breaker to keep the season alive.
"Unfortunately in the third set, our level of play dipped again and we got down 1-5. We fought back, but couldn't keep it going. I think they (Green Bay) have to be the best three doubles team I have ever seen. They hit with a lot of pace and spin, and in the end we just had a few too many unforced errors and dug ourselves too big of a hole to start the second and third sets."
Root was the team's No. 1 singles player a year ago, and Tschanz made a trip to state with then-senior Patrick Gellings. Tschanz and Gellings were knocked out in the first round.
This year, Saugstad specifically put Root and Tschanz together in doubles to not only be a regular season force, but to make a serious run at a state title.
"I know this loss stings for Garrett and Carson, but they still had a great season," Saugstad said.
A day after cruising through the first round, sophomore Taylor Soddy lost to Andrew Hwang of University School without much fanfare, 6-0, 6-0.
"Taylor knew going into this match that he was in trouble, because Hwang is such a good player," Saugstad said. "But I give Taylor a lot of credit because he played hard. He didn't give in even though Hwang was running him all over the court and hitting with a lot of power."
With Soddy's two years left on varsity, Saugstad knows this rare experience will benefit his No. 1 singles player in the future.
"This was a good learning experience for Taylor because it showed him some things that he needs to improve on to take his game to the next level," Saugstad said.
Monroe's No. 1 doubles team of seniors Carson Root and Garrett Tschanz found their chemistry early in the season and went unbeaten much of the year. The duo (22-3) suffered its toughest loss of the season during Friday's match at University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The pair fell to Green Bay Notre Dame's Nate Calawers and Nick Del Moral 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-3.
"The first set started off with everyone winning their serving games until 4-4 when we got broke," Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said. "Our level of play then dropped to start the second set, as we were missing some shots and not always making the best choices and we got down 0-3."
The duo came back to win seven of the next nine games in the set, the last of which was a tie-breaker to keep the season alive.
"Unfortunately in the third set, our level of play dipped again and we got down 1-5. We fought back, but couldn't keep it going. I think they (Green Bay) have to be the best three doubles team I have ever seen. They hit with a lot of pace and spin, and in the end we just had a few too many unforced errors and dug ourselves too big of a hole to start the second and third sets."
Root was the team's No. 1 singles player a year ago, and Tschanz made a trip to state with then-senior Patrick Gellings. Tschanz and Gellings were knocked out in the first round.
This year, Saugstad specifically put Root and Tschanz together in doubles to not only be a regular season force, but to make a serious run at a state title.
"I know this loss stings for Garrett and Carson, but they still had a great season," Saugstad said.
A day after cruising through the first round, sophomore Taylor Soddy lost to Andrew Hwang of University School without much fanfare, 6-0, 6-0.
"Taylor knew going into this match that he was in trouble, because Hwang is such a good player," Saugstad said. "But I give Taylor a lot of credit because he played hard. He didn't give in even though Hwang was running him all over the court and hitting with a lot of power."
With Soddy's two years left on varsity, Saugstad knows this rare experience will benefit his No. 1 singles player in the future.
"This was a good learning experience for Taylor because it showed him some things that he needs to improve on to take his game to the next level," Saugstad said.
