MONROE - Taylor Soddy wasn't going to make any snap decisions and judge the Monroe tennis team after a 7-0 loss to Madison Edgewood in the Badger South Conference opener last week.
The junior No. 1 singles player used his experience playing in a Lodi summer league and against Edgewood in the conference opener as a learning experience. Soddy was determined not to blow a lead against Fort Atkinson senior Stephen Johnson like he did against Edgewood last week after he led 3-1 in the second set.
"I just couldn't put the nail in the coffin," Soddy said of his match against the Crusaders. "I just think I kept my composure better today. With all due respect to my opponent, he wasn't as good as the Edgewood player. I think this tells us more about our team than Edgewood."
The Cheesemakers won three of the four singles matches en route to a 5-2 win over Fort Atkinson on Tuesday. Monroe (5-2, 1-1 Badger South) snapped a two-year losing streak to the Blackhawks.
Soddy defeated Johnson 6-0, 6-0.
"From some of the scores people have seen in the paper from us losing 7-0 to Edgewood and 6-1 to Sauk Prairie, they really don't know about us. This will show we have some good players and we'll be a tough team to beat this year. Everyone knew Edgewood was strong this year. This is kind of the start of our season."
Monroe junior Jared Nix defeated Alex Lechman 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles. At No. 4, freshman Matt Monahan beat Juan Hernandez Cruz 6-2, 6-1.
Monroe senior Bob Seichter and junior Josh Riese at No. 2 doubles defeated Fort Atkinson's Brian Brito and Luis Coll in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. At No. 3 doubles, freshman Jeremy Miller and senior Luke Andraski defeated Alex Ames and Willy Lemke 6-2, 6-2.
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad had to shuffle the lineup with freshman Kevin Noriega out with a lower back injury.
"We would rather have him healthy as the season goes on," Saugstad said. "If it means missing a few matches right now, that is what it means."
Freshman Eric Bush, who usually plays No. 3 singles, moved to No. 2 singles and lost 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 to Owen Kirkeby. With four freshmen in the lineup, Saugstad said it's definitely important for them to be competitive in matches to build their confidence.
Monroe senior Cristian Noriega and junior Kevin Kohlstedt lost to Andrew Dahl and Marc Dahnert 6-0, 6-0. The Blackhawks finished second in the conference at No. 1 doubles last year.
"It's been hit and miss for them," Saugstad said. "It's tough to judge when you start the season with teams that are overpowering. Cristian has been a slow starter. I think they will grow together and they will be just fine."
The junior No. 1 singles player used his experience playing in a Lodi summer league and against Edgewood in the conference opener as a learning experience. Soddy was determined not to blow a lead against Fort Atkinson senior Stephen Johnson like he did against Edgewood last week after he led 3-1 in the second set.
"I just couldn't put the nail in the coffin," Soddy said of his match against the Crusaders. "I just think I kept my composure better today. With all due respect to my opponent, he wasn't as good as the Edgewood player. I think this tells us more about our team than Edgewood."
The Cheesemakers won three of the four singles matches en route to a 5-2 win over Fort Atkinson on Tuesday. Monroe (5-2, 1-1 Badger South) snapped a two-year losing streak to the Blackhawks.
Soddy defeated Johnson 6-0, 6-0.
"From some of the scores people have seen in the paper from us losing 7-0 to Edgewood and 6-1 to Sauk Prairie, they really don't know about us. This will show we have some good players and we'll be a tough team to beat this year. Everyone knew Edgewood was strong this year. This is kind of the start of our season."
Monroe junior Jared Nix defeated Alex Lechman 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles. At No. 4, freshman Matt Monahan beat Juan Hernandez Cruz 6-2, 6-1.
Monroe senior Bob Seichter and junior Josh Riese at No. 2 doubles defeated Fort Atkinson's Brian Brito and Luis Coll in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. At No. 3 doubles, freshman Jeremy Miller and senior Luke Andraski defeated Alex Ames and Willy Lemke 6-2, 6-2.
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad had to shuffle the lineup with freshman Kevin Noriega out with a lower back injury.
"We would rather have him healthy as the season goes on," Saugstad said. "If it means missing a few matches right now, that is what it means."
Freshman Eric Bush, who usually plays No. 3 singles, moved to No. 2 singles and lost 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 to Owen Kirkeby. With four freshmen in the lineup, Saugstad said it's definitely important for them to be competitive in matches to build their confidence.
Monroe senior Cristian Noriega and junior Kevin Kohlstedt lost to Andrew Dahl and Marc Dahnert 6-0, 6-0. The Blackhawks finished second in the conference at No. 1 doubles last year.
"It's been hit and miss for them," Saugstad said. "It's tough to judge when you start the season with teams that are overpowering. Cristian has been a slow starter. I think they will grow together and they will be just fine."
