MONROE - Tiebreakers and three-set matches can make or break a tennis player.
The Monroe girls tennis team received a dose of both in dropping a season opener to McFarland 4-3 on Monday. The tough loss couldn't overshadow a rousing debut by the Monroe No. 1 doubles team of seniors Pam Lehman and Melissa Hill.
The Cheesemakers received some big performances from their doubles teams. Lehman and Hill defeated Spartans Theresa Dietzel and Cheyanne Urso in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (5).
Lehman and Hill showed some resiliency in winning a critical tiebreaker in their first match together. In doubles, where chemistry and communication reign supreme, Lehman and Hill passed their first test.
"We have never played together before," Lehman said. "There was a lot at stake. We were really pumped up."
After dropping two straight games near the end of the second set, the Spartans were on a roll and appeared to snatch the momentum from Lehman and Hill. The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles team wasn't rattled and didn't break. Lehman and Hill withstood the Spartans' rally.
"The key was just being consistent and keeping our shots in," Hill said. "We had to stay focused."
Monroe juniors Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter at No. 2 doubles defeated Audra Cohen and Claire Blankership 6-2, 7-5.
The Spartans won three of the four singles matches.
Monroe's Kiera Berger at No. 4 singles won a hard-fought three-set match against Allison Daughtery, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4.
"Kiera Berger also played a fantastic match at No. 4 singles for us," Monroe coach Stephanie Miller said. "She moved her opponent all over the court and stepped in to hit winners to end the points."
McKenzie Bruce, the Cheesemakers' No. 3 singles player, lost a three-set match. McFarland's Elisabeth Radloff defeated Bruce, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.
In a fourth three-set match at No. 3 doubles, the Spartans' Lisa Kosobuck and Kirsten Walker defeated the Cheesemakers' Taylor Weis and Kelsey Erickson, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
At No. 1 singles, Monroe sophomore Kristin McArdle lost to Hannah Polipnick, 6-0, 7-6 (5). McFarland's Jenny Ujke at No. 2 singles defeated Monroe freshman Ellie Shuda in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
The Cheesemakers will use the season-opening loss to the Spartans as motivation. The Cheesemakers are at the Janesville Craig Invitational on Thursday and will host the Cheesemakers Doubles tournament on Saturday.
"McFarland is a tough and consistent team, but they are great practice for the upcoming season," Miller said.
The Monroe girls tennis team received a dose of both in dropping a season opener to McFarland 4-3 on Monday. The tough loss couldn't overshadow a rousing debut by the Monroe No. 1 doubles team of seniors Pam Lehman and Melissa Hill.
The Cheesemakers received some big performances from their doubles teams. Lehman and Hill defeated Spartans Theresa Dietzel and Cheyanne Urso in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (5).
Lehman and Hill showed some resiliency in winning a critical tiebreaker in their first match together. In doubles, where chemistry and communication reign supreme, Lehman and Hill passed their first test.
"We have never played together before," Lehman said. "There was a lot at stake. We were really pumped up."
After dropping two straight games near the end of the second set, the Spartans were on a roll and appeared to snatch the momentum from Lehman and Hill. The Cheesemakers' No. 1 doubles team wasn't rattled and didn't break. Lehman and Hill withstood the Spartans' rally.
"The key was just being consistent and keeping our shots in," Hill said. "We had to stay focused."
Monroe juniors Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter at No. 2 doubles defeated Audra Cohen and Claire Blankership 6-2, 7-5.
The Spartans won three of the four singles matches.
Monroe's Kiera Berger at No. 4 singles won a hard-fought three-set match against Allison Daughtery, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-4.
"Kiera Berger also played a fantastic match at No. 4 singles for us," Monroe coach Stephanie Miller said. "She moved her opponent all over the court and stepped in to hit winners to end the points."
McKenzie Bruce, the Cheesemakers' No. 3 singles player, lost a three-set match. McFarland's Elisabeth Radloff defeated Bruce, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.
In a fourth three-set match at No. 3 doubles, the Spartans' Lisa Kosobuck and Kirsten Walker defeated the Cheesemakers' Taylor Weis and Kelsey Erickson, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.
At No. 1 singles, Monroe sophomore Kristin McArdle lost to Hannah Polipnick, 6-0, 7-6 (5). McFarland's Jenny Ujke at No. 2 singles defeated Monroe freshman Ellie Shuda in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
The Cheesemakers will use the season-opening loss to the Spartans as motivation. The Cheesemakers are at the Janesville Craig Invitational on Thursday and will host the Cheesemakers Doubles tournament on Saturday.
"McFarland is a tough and consistent team, but they are great practice for the upcoming season," Miller said.
