MONROE - Monroe High School seniors Parris Bunker and Kiara Miller have shared a similar path in prep tennis and developed competitive spirits that are still growing as they continue to gel.
Bunker and Miller are in their first year as doubles partners, and the duo is off to a 9-5 start.
Bunker started playing tennis in middle school, but didn't go out for the Monroe team until two years ago as a sophomore. Miller didn't start playing tennis until last season. Bunker played No. 2 doubles last year, and Miller played No. 3 doubles.
"As a sophomore and junior, I didn't have winning records," Bunker said. "The matches I played were not as intense as they could have been. Now, I'm hoping to win those close and intense matches."
Both Bunker and Miller went out for tennis because they had friends on the team. Now, they are thriving in their roles as a No. 2 doubles team on the rise.
"I just went out because my friends wanted me to go out," Bunker said. "I never really thought I would be 9-4 (before Thursday) and playing No. 2 doubles as a senior."
Miller was a newcomer to tennis last season, but she's confident the work she has put in during the offseason is paying off. Miller, who also plays softball, wanted a new challenge last fall.
"I wanted to try a new sport, and I was really interested in tennis and a few of my friends played too," she said. "I feel like we had to work a little bit to get to know each other. After that, we kind of clicked, and it just happened."
Bunker and Miller lost their first three matches and then won nine straight matches before dropping decisions Tuesday and Thursday.
"I feel like with the work we put into it we are making progress and getting a great outcome," Miller said. "I'm a little surprised how we are doing together."
Miller said the best attribute that makes Bunker a successful tennis player is her positive attitude on the court.
"I really like on how she keeps me positive, keeps me in the game and keeps me focused on what we need to do," Miller said. "We always keep each other up."
Bunker has learned to stay upbeat even if a tiebreaker or a critical game doesn't go their way.
"If we mess up on a volley, we try not to focus on the bad things because that is behind us," Bunker said. "We want to focus on the next point."
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad had a feeling that Bunker and Miller would have a strong connection on the court.
"Kiara can hit a low and hard ball from the baseline," Saugstad said. "Parris has the strong play at the net. Those two compliment each other well. Kiara can set Parris up at the net."
Saugstad sees similar competitive nature between Bunker and Miller.
"They both work hard on the court and have similar mindsets," Saugstad said. "Both of them have the work ethic and really want to play well and win."
Even though they are not beginners, the seniors are still developing as tennis players.
"They both are still young players," Saugstad said. "In practice to start the year, Parris really stepped up on her volleys and serving was really improved. Kiara's shots and serve return had really grown. Early in practice there were signs they could be a good doubles team. It took a few matches, but they started to carry over their shots from practice."
Bunker attended a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater tennis camp with several other Monroe players. It helped set her course for the season.
"I think the biggest things I took away from the camp is the mental toughness and wanting to win and not giving up," Bunker said.
Bunker has enjoyed her partnership with Miller in her final year of prep tennis.
"Kiara wants to win," Bunker said. "It helps having a player who wants to win all of her matches. We have been playing together really well. I'm pretty surprised. I think it's more of a good surprise."
Bunker and Miller are in their first year as doubles partners, and the duo is off to a 9-5 start.
Bunker started playing tennis in middle school, but didn't go out for the Monroe team until two years ago as a sophomore. Miller didn't start playing tennis until last season. Bunker played No. 2 doubles last year, and Miller played No. 3 doubles.
"As a sophomore and junior, I didn't have winning records," Bunker said. "The matches I played were not as intense as they could have been. Now, I'm hoping to win those close and intense matches."
Both Bunker and Miller went out for tennis because they had friends on the team. Now, they are thriving in their roles as a No. 2 doubles team on the rise.
"I just went out because my friends wanted me to go out," Bunker said. "I never really thought I would be 9-4 (before Thursday) and playing No. 2 doubles as a senior."
Miller was a newcomer to tennis last season, but she's confident the work she has put in during the offseason is paying off. Miller, who also plays softball, wanted a new challenge last fall.
"I wanted to try a new sport, and I was really interested in tennis and a few of my friends played too," she said. "I feel like we had to work a little bit to get to know each other. After that, we kind of clicked, and it just happened."
Bunker and Miller lost their first three matches and then won nine straight matches before dropping decisions Tuesday and Thursday.
"I feel like with the work we put into it we are making progress and getting a great outcome," Miller said. "I'm a little surprised how we are doing together."
Miller said the best attribute that makes Bunker a successful tennis player is her positive attitude on the court.
"I really like on how she keeps me positive, keeps me in the game and keeps me focused on what we need to do," Miller said. "We always keep each other up."
Bunker has learned to stay upbeat even if a tiebreaker or a critical game doesn't go their way.
"If we mess up on a volley, we try not to focus on the bad things because that is behind us," Bunker said. "We want to focus on the next point."
Monroe coach Brad Saugstad had a feeling that Bunker and Miller would have a strong connection on the court.
"Kiara can hit a low and hard ball from the baseline," Saugstad said. "Parris has the strong play at the net. Those two compliment each other well. Kiara can set Parris up at the net."
Saugstad sees similar competitive nature between Bunker and Miller.
"They both work hard on the court and have similar mindsets," Saugstad said. "Both of them have the work ethic and really want to play well and win."
Even though they are not beginners, the seniors are still developing as tennis players.
"They both are still young players," Saugstad said. "In practice to start the year, Parris really stepped up on her volleys and serving was really improved. Kiara's shots and serve return had really grown. Early in practice there were signs they could be a good doubles team. It took a few matches, but they started to carry over their shots from practice."
Bunker attended a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater tennis camp with several other Monroe players. It helped set her course for the season.
"I think the biggest things I took away from the camp is the mental toughness and wanting to win and not giving up," Bunker said.
Bunker has enjoyed her partnership with Miller in her final year of prep tennis.
"Kiara wants to win," Bunker said. "It helps having a player who wants to win all of her matches. We have been playing together really well. I'm pretty surprised. I think it's more of a good surprise."
