Mom and dad watched from the other side of the fence trying to keep their emotions in check – which they did a pretty good job of doing considering the match being played out in front of them featured a pair of very familiar faces.
They were focused on Huron’s No. 1 doubles team which featured a unique chemistry that may have been a first in high school boys tennis. The two Huron players seemed to be a perfect mix on the court that Thursday afternoon in Dexter. And in between amazing shots, winning points and dynamic serves, there were plenty of racket bumps, high fives and smiles as the River Rats team made quick work of a strong Dexter duo 6-1, 6-0.
The chemistry created a winning combination but this was a one-off for this particular talented doubles team. The unique brother and sister partnership of Warren and Audrey Gunnar would fade into the history books and the two players would return to their normal positions on the team as the River Rats position themselves for a return to the State Finals.
But it was a match they will never forget. And neither will their proud parents.
“Yes, very proud,” said dad William Gunnar. “They both can play doubles and play well together. They are both very dedicated to the game and they work really hard and we are very proud of them. They are becoming good young adults.”
And good young tennis players.
Warren, 17, is a senior at Huron and plays one singles for the River Rats. Audrey, 15, is a sophomore and plays two doubles for the boys’ varsity team. Both have switched positions this year – Warren played doubles the previous two years and Audrey played one singles on the girls team in the spring.
But on Thursday they found common ground playing on the same side of the net.
Audrey said playing with her brother against the Dreadnaughts in the SEC match was a lot of fun. “We have that brother and sister competitiveness and I think that came out a little and probably helped us,” she said. “He’s helped me a lot and has taught me how to be strong mentally.”
Warren agreed that the experience of playing with his sister was fun – which was the point of pairing them together in the first place. “I always enjoy playing tennis with her,” he said. “It’s good for the family and good for the both of us. We get to mess with each other a little bit like brothers and sisters do and have some fun which is always a good thing.”
Audrey, only a sophomore, played No. 1 singles on the girls’ team for Huron last year. She played in the Division 1 State Finals, losing to freshman Isabella Portnoy of Okemos 6-3, 6-2.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said of her experience as a freshman. “It was my first year playing high school tennis and different than playing in tournaments. It takes a lot more mental strength because of the number of matches you play in one week so it took some getting used to.”
It also took some getting used to playing in the fall on the Huron boys team. State rules allow girls to play on the boys team but they then can’t play for the girls in the spring. The decision came down to finding ways to better improve as a tennis player and to give her more flexibility playing national tournaments.
“I normally hit with my brother and some of his friends so it wasn’t anything to different than what I’m used to,” Audrey said. “It’s a different competitive level compared to girls but my teammates have been very welcoming and supportive. The power is different playing against boys but I knew that was going to be something I was going to have to get used to.”
Audrey has always enjoyed playing tennis. “I’m a very independent person so I like to be by myself and tennis allows me to do that but it also allows you to be part of a team,” she said. “I started this season playing one doubles but switched to two doubles and my partner and I have good chemistry so it’s been a lot of fun.”
Huron’s two doubles have been doing well, losing a tough three-set match to Bloomfield Hills. “I know we can win states and that’s our goal,” Audrey said.
Warren didn’t start playing tennis until only a few years ago. He was a baseball player at first until an injury forced him to make a “career” change when it came to sports.
“I got bone spurs in my elbow and tennis was always a backup sport to baseball for a long time and I didn’t really pay too much attention to it,” he said. “When I got bone spurs I decided to turn my attention to tennis.”
It’s been a home run of a decision.
Warren and his partner senior Hassan Hejazi reached the D-1 state finals last year losing a tight three-set match to Bloomfield Hills 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 at one doubles. They won some big matches along the way, including a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 win over Novi and a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win in the second round over Rochester Adams.
The previous season the Gunnar/Hejazi team won the state finals at three doubles. They defeated Bloomfield Hills 6-3, 6-3 in the finals and never lost a set in their run to the championship match.
Warren wants to continue playing tennis in college so he switched to singles this season. And so far, so good.
“My season has been going well,” Warren said. “There is a lot of competition at one singles. There are so many good players at one singles and I think it’s going to be a great state tournament this year. I’m really looking forward to it. I would like to get to the state finals and win but my goal is to just get a little better after each match and keep improving.”
Warren says having his sister on the boys team has been “different.”
“It’s somebody I have to watch out for and keep an eye on a little bit and be somewhat of the protective older brother,” said Warren, who has already gotten offers from D-2 schools. “But I also have to focus on what I need to do and accomplish my goals at the same time but it’s been good. All my teammates are great. They all like her and she likes everyone so that helps a lot.”
Photos by Terry Jacoby
