Singles players take top spot at doubles event

By Todd Krysiak/Sauk Prairie Eagle

Traditional singles tennis players Erik Brattstet and Brandon Fiene teamed up May 11 to take the top spot for Sauk Prairie at the Cheesemaker Doubles event in Monroe May 11.

Eagles doubles players Mike Hruby and Dylan Breunig also made their way through the eight-team field to earn the top spot in their tier.

As a team, the Eagles (8-3, 3-1 Badger North) came in second with 19 points behind Monroe, which scored 25.

Eagles tennis coach Paul Bishop said Monroe essentially assured itself a victory when its players won the first round in each of the five flights at the competition.

"We won in three of the opening flights," he said.

In addition to the two first-place performances, an Eagle team also took second, fifth and sixth at the competition.

"It was a good match for us," he said. "Everyone got to play three matches, that's the important thing."

Bishop said that with numerous meet cancelations throughout the season because of weather, the court time was important for players gearing up for conference tournaments.

"Seeing new faces across the net is helpful, too," he said.

Bishop added that he thought Brattstet and Fiene moved over to doubles play well.

Sauk Prairie 6, Portage 1

The Eagles dominated conference foe Portage May 9 at home, losing only one match and winning all but one match in two games.

The lone loss came to Portage's No. 1 player, who defeated Brattstet.

"The No. 1 player who lost ran into a buzz saw," Bishop said. "That player really got on a roll."

With the exception of running player on a hot streak, Bishop said he was pleased with the results.

"The rest of the way down the line, everyone played well," he said.

Waunakee 5, Sauk Prairie 2

Undefeated in conference play, Waunakee continued its winning ways May 6 by defeating the Eagles 5-2.

Sauk Prairie hoped to knock off the league's top team to settle in atop the conference heading into the end of the season, but it wasn't meant to be.

"That probably means they will be one point up on us come tournament time," Bishop said. "We need to score more points in order to tie them."

Bishop said the Eagles were in a similar situation heading into the tournament last year, but were able to overcome Waunakee's lead.

"It's going to be a real challenge," he said. "Wanakee is a veteran team this year."