Still Perfect After All These Years

Pierce and Connor Shaya dominate on the tennis court

By Steve Stein

The Shaya brothers continued their unprecedented run at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 boys tennis state tournament this season. Pierce Shaya, a senior at Bloomfield Hills High School, won his fourth flight state championship. His high school tennis career is over, but he’ll be playing for the University of Michigan men’s tennis team next season.

Connor Shaya, a junior this year, won his third flight state championship. He’ll return to the Bloomfield Hills’ lineup next season, looking to match Pierce’s perfect career record at the state tournament.

Together, the Shaya brothers are 28-0 at the state tournament in a combined seven trips there. Pierce went 16-0 at state in four years. He won state titles at No. 3 singles as a freshman, No. 1 doubles as a sophomore, No. 2 singles as a junior and No. 1 singles as a senior. His high school career record is 103-2. He went 77-1 in singles and 26-1 in doubles. 

Connor is 12-0 at state in three years. He won state titles at No. 4 singles as a freshman, No. 3 singles as a sophomore and No. 2 singles as a junior. His high school career record is 81-0, all in singles matches.

Pierce and Connor were each named to the Division 1 All-State Team in November by the Michigan High School Coaches Association. While they share successful records on the court, the brothers have a different outlook about tennis.

Pierce achieved a major tennis goal when he signed a national letter of intent in October to play for U-M. He made a verbal commitment to the Wolverines in December 2023. “I’ve always been a big Michigan fan, and my dad went to school there,” Pierce said.

Connor wants to attend U-M, but he doesn’t want to play collegiate tennis. “I might play club tennis there,” he said.

The boys practiced together nearly every day when they were younger. That’s not the case anymore. “I don’t play as much as Pierce does,” Connor said.

In fact, Connor will compete in track and field again this spring for Bloomfield Hills, running the 400-, 800-, and 1600-meter races. “Running track helps me with tennis, and tennis helps me with track,” he said.

Even the brothers’ tennis personalities are different. A moment in time during the state tournament this season reflected that. Playing on adjoining courts in state championship matches, their paths crossed after each made a good shot and they congratulated each other.

For Pierce, that was an unusual moment. “I rarely look away from my match when I play,” he said. “I focus on myself and my opponent and what I need to do.”

“I’m different than Pierce. I look around during my matches. I was watching how Pierce was doing,” Connor said. 

Bloomfield Hills boys tennis coach Greg Burks said the brothers are amazing -- and different -- players. “They have different skill sets,” he said. “Pierce powers through his matches. Connor is a pit bull. He’s tough. He won’t let go until he gets what he wants.”

There is one important commonality between Pierce and Connor, according to Burks. “They’ve been working for years with their uncle (Greg Shaya), one of the top teaching pros in the area,” Burks said. Greg is a former two-year captain of the U-M men’s tennis team.

Together, the nationally ranked Shaya brothers have led Bloomfield Hills to three consecutive team state championships. The Blackhawks won it all again this season, winning five of eight flight championships, in October in Byron Center.

Pierce lost just seven games in four matches en route to the No. 1 singles state championship. He defeated Chad Anderson of Rochester 6-4, 6-1 in the title match.

Connor lost just 11 games in four matches. He beat Quentin Rangi of Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 6-3, 6-1 in the No. 2 singles title match. 

Pierce said he’s very happy to have had the opportunity to compete on the same team with Connor for three years. He’s also confident next year will be a successful one for Connor even though Connor will be the only Shaya in the Bloomfield Hills lineup.

Connor is confident, too. “I haven’t really thought about not playing with Pierce next year,” Connor said. “It’s going to be a lot different. But my goal every year is to win a state championship, and that’s what I’ll be focused on.”

The boys’ parents are Donnovan and Amy Shaya. They also have an older sister, Grace.