MONROE - Silas Setterstrom maintains a humble confidence in his tennis ability on the court, but as his prep career winds down for the Monroe High School boys tennis team, he can reflect back on an impressive list of achievements.

The senior is 11-7 this season in his second year playing No. 1 singles.

"My goal is to make the top eight at state," Setterstrom said.

Setterstrom made a run to the WIAA Division 2 state tournament last year. Whitewater's Brodie Runez defeated Setterstrom in the first round at state last season 6-4, 6-2, and Settertrom finished the season with a 12-11 record. Setterstrom had defeated Runez 6-2, 6-1 to take third in the East Troy sectional last year to qualify for state.

Setterstrom learned from his experience playing at state last year.

"I learned that confidence is really important," he said. "No matter how things are going you need to always be confident in your game and go for your shot."

First-year Monroe coach Matt Bordner, a Dakota, Illinois, native, has enjoyed seeing Setterstrom develop as a top singles player.

"I think his work ethic really stands out," Bordner said. "He has that mentality that he wants to work his butt off every day."

Setterstrom has become a student of the game. He studies his opponents looking for a weakness he can exploit.

"He knows his opponents and does his homework," Bordner said. "He knows their style and what they can't do really well. He's a clever kid on the tennis court."

Setterstrom wasn't satisfied by making it to state last year. There were areas in his game he wanted to fine-tune.

"I've really improved my forehand a lot," he said. "I really didn't have a weapon before. I feel like now I can use my forehand as a weapon."

The competition in the Badger South Conference remains daunting. Madison Edgewood is one of the top-ranked teams in the state. Many of the players from Edgewood and other Madison-area schools have more courts and clubs where they can get the tutelage from coaches to work on their game year-round.

"It makes it easier for them to play in the offseason," Setterstrom said. "They have a lot more players with year-round experience."

However, Setterstrom is not using that as an excuse. He understands with more hard work in practice, he and the Monroe tennis program can be competitive.

"It's still manageable to do," he said.

Before the postseason beings, Setterstrom and the Cheesemakers will play in the Badger Conference tournament Friday and Saturday at the University of Wisconsin's Nielsen Tennis Stadium. Setterstrom just missed making it to the semifinals of the conference tournament last year with a loss to Waunakee's James Paradisin 6-1, 6-2.

"He's really been on top of his game lately," Bordner said of Setterstrom. "He's really had a solid year."

Setterstrom said his goal for the conference tournament is to make it to the second day Saturday and play in a semifinal match.

"I will probably be the fifth seed," he said. "I will have to pull off some upsets. That is how it's been for our team this year. Hopefully, we can do it at several flights at conference. Anything can happen at Nielsen."

Setterstrom said his toughest opponent this year has been Oregon's Calvin Schneider, who he has lost to twice.

"He's super consistent and athletic," Setterstrom said of Schneider. "He can hit the ball hard. He's really a good all court player."

Setterstrom's hobbies are spending time with friends and playing soccer. He will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison next year and plans to major in computer engineering.

"Between conference and sectionals, I would really like to see Silas end on a high note," Bordner said. "I know every time he steps on the court he gives it his all."

Bordner is optimistic Setterstrom can extend his season deep into the tournament after the subsectional. He wouldn't rule out a return trip to state.

"I think he's making a name for himself," Bordner said. "I think he has a pretty good shot to make some noise in our sectional. We are taking it one step at a time."