MONROE - Taylor Soddy's passion for tennis budded from a sibling rivalry.
The Monroe junior first knew he might have a future in the sport when he was in seventh grade and won a set against his older brother Joe, who had qualified for the WIAA state tournament in high school and was in college at the time.
"He was taking it easy on me early on," Taylor Soddy said. "He got frustrated when I took a set from him. That is when I thought I might be pretty good myself."
Taylor Soddy (12-6) will make his second straight WIAA Division 2 state tournament appearance tonight when he faces Prairie School junior Thomas Ware (18-8) in a first-round match at 8 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
"It feels fantastic," said Taylor Soddy, the Cheesemakers' No. 1 singles player, said of getting back to state. "It's a true privilege to play for Monroe High School."
If Soddy wins tonight, he will play Manitowoc Ronacalli senior Lucas Waak (27-2), the No. 2 seed, on Friday.
Waak's state title hopes were dashed last year when he lost in the quarterfinals. Soddy lost to eventual state champion Andrew Hwang of Milwaukee University School last year.
"My goal is still to win two matches," Soddy said. "I'm not going to switch my goal because I have a tougher draw."
Soddy said the key will be getting the lead in the first set. He hopes that will send him on his way to a match vs. Waak.
"Even though I won my first match last year, I was really nervous," Soddy said. "I want to advance. I'm more confident this year. I'm going to come out, play my game and see if I can get an edge and see if I have enough left in the tank to pull it out."
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said many No. 1 singles players at the state level are strong baseline players.
"I think it will be a good thing for Taylor," Saugstad said. "Taylor plays an unorthodox style of tennis. Hopefully, that will play to Taylor's advantage."
The Monroe junior first knew he might have a future in the sport when he was in seventh grade and won a set against his older brother Joe, who had qualified for the WIAA state tournament in high school and was in college at the time.
"He was taking it easy on me early on," Taylor Soddy said. "He got frustrated when I took a set from him. That is when I thought I might be pretty good myself."
Taylor Soddy (12-6) will make his second straight WIAA Division 2 state tournament appearance tonight when he faces Prairie School junior Thomas Ware (18-8) in a first-round match at 8 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
"It feels fantastic," said Taylor Soddy, the Cheesemakers' No. 1 singles player, said of getting back to state. "It's a true privilege to play for Monroe High School."
If Soddy wins tonight, he will play Manitowoc Ronacalli senior Lucas Waak (27-2), the No. 2 seed, on Friday.
Waak's state title hopes were dashed last year when he lost in the quarterfinals. Soddy lost to eventual state champion Andrew Hwang of Milwaukee University School last year.
"My goal is still to win two matches," Soddy said. "I'm not going to switch my goal because I have a tougher draw."
Soddy said the key will be getting the lead in the first set. He hopes that will send him on his way to a match vs. Waak.
"Even though I won my first match last year, I was really nervous," Soddy said. "I want to advance. I'm more confident this year. I'm going to come out, play my game and see if I can get an edge and see if I have enough left in the tank to pull it out."
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad said many No. 1 singles players at the state level are strong baseline players.
"I think it will be a good thing for Taylor," Saugstad said. "Taylor plays an unorthodox style of tennis. Hopefully, that will play to Taylor's advantage."
