The UW-Whitewater men’s and women’s tennis teams share coaches. The teams share court space. There are also two players who share a special bond.

Sophomore and sister Alexandra Bayliss and junior and brother Andrew Bayliss have been Warhawks together for two years now. In their time here they have made strides as athletes and people and have done it together.

Andrew transferred to UW-Whitewater last season after a year at Butler University. He burst onto the scene compiling 62 combined singles and doubles wins 2011 and was named the team’s MVP. He is 18-12 in singles and 18-5 in doubles so far this season.

Alexandra is in her second year at UW-Whitewater and is tied for second all-time in doubles wins in a season with 24 in 2010-11. She also has the most combined singles and doubles wins in a season with 57 in 2010-11 and was named the team’s Rookie of the Year. She is 23-3 in singles and 22-10 in doubles so far this season.

The pair hails from Sheboygan,   where they were top players and state tournament qualifiers. Competing with each other growing up was normal for the Bayliss’, but tennis was not always their sport of choice.

Both Alexandra and Andrew were focused on other sports until they got to high school, but tennis quickly became their game of choice

“One thing I have always admired about Alexandra’s game is how naturally she volleys because she makes it look so easy,” Andrew said.

Alexandra also said she admires the way Andrew plays.

“Andrew has always had strong forehands, I wish I could hit the ball the way he does,” Alexandra said.

The two said co-ed leagues were scarce in Sheboygan so they spent time together practicing at the local tennis courts. Their earliest coaches were their dad, Mike, and older brother Brandon, who played tennis at Butler University.

When leaving high school, Alexandra and Andrew both knew they wanted to play tennis at the collegiate level but arrived at UW-Whitewater one year apart.

The prestige of the tennis programs and coach Frank Barnes is what brought them back together.

“Of the schools I looked at, Whitewater was the best,” Alexandra said. “I considered going to Butler but [coach] Frank was one of the deciding factors.”

“I actually followed our older brother to Butler and played for a year,” Andrew said. “I was looking to transfer and Barnes and the program had a great reputation and were a little closer to home.”

While at Butler, Brandon said he practiced with Andrew all the time, something Andrew now does with Alexandra.

Growing up, he was Andrew’s No. 1 practice partner, but was more of a coach for Alexandra.

“Alexandra is an incredibly consistent player and is mentally composed all of the time, which is why her records are so good,” Brandon said. “Andrew is deceptive because he’s over six feet tall, but he can beat you without having to just bomb every shot.”

“I’ve had some pretty big matches in college, but some of my best experiences have been with my brother and sister,” Brandon said. “From watching them develop over the years to freaking out at their state tournament matches it has been great.”

Both teams are moving into the post season and the duo will have at least one more season to play together at UW-Whitewater.