PEORIA — Theresa Bartelme has been a terrific ambassador for the Richwoods girls tennis program during her four varsity seasons.
The senior and three-time Journal Star all-area selection and second-team all-stater earned her 100th career varsity win on Sept. 4, a 6-0, 6-0 decision over East Peoria junior Victoria Maze. And then cake, cupcakes, banners and balloons as her teammates and coach Terry Cole surprised her with a 100 wins celebration.
Well, almost.
“My teammate and friend, Olivia (Reynolds), told me the day before to make sure I dressed nice,” Bartelme said, laughing. “Then when I got to the match my friends were all waiting in the parking lot. I knew what was happening.”
She’s won four more matches since then. And she’s partnered with Reynolds on doubles so far this season for a 10-0 record, part of her 18-0 overall mark. Bartelme has been part of a great era of Richwoods girls tennis that has produced three 100-win stars, with Bartelme joining Julia Wojtowicz and Olivia Reynolds in that prestigious club the last two seasons.
‘Tennis is a life-long game’
Bartelme, a senior who is a star on the tennis court and a star academically off of it, wants to go to college somewhere east next fall. She spent a month this summer in Washington, D.C., serving as a page on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
She has served as a marketing intern for the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, been named a Distinguished Young Woman of Peoria for Class of 2025, a 2024 Yale Young Global Scholar, and founded the Richwoods High School Model United Nations Club — the first such prep school club in central Illinois. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction, took part in the Summer Leaders Experience at West Point 2024 Cohort, and is a 2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar.
IHSA tennis: Here are 10 Peoria-area high school girls tennis players to know for the 2024 season
“I may play club tennis in college, really just to keep getting that team feeling,” she said. “I won’t pursue being a varsity athlete. But tennis is a life sport, a life-long game, something I’ll play when I’m older.
“I want to study International Relations in college. I hope to be a diplomat one day. I hope to land in government service in Washington, D.C.”
A 100-win ambassador
When Bartelme came off the court on Sept. 4, her teammates were waiting for her under a canopy, with a table set up for a celebration. She walked over, dressed in the same model shoes worn by world No. 1-ranked player Naomi Saka, her must-watch favorite since she was very young.
She was greeted by Reynolds, whom she’s known since third grade and played doubles with at Richwoods as freshmen.
“They gave me a poster and balloons and cake and flowers,” Bartelme said. “It was very exciting. I’d been anticipating the day for a while. I was there when Julia and Olivia got to 100 last year.”
Tennis, everyone? Why the game is booming at high schools across the Peoria area
The moment came with reflection for Bartelme, too, as she continues on in her final high school season.
“To reach 100 wins is a great accomplishment, such a great thing,” Bartelme said. “You look back at everything and think about it. I’m most proud of qualifying for state. And qualifying in both doubles and singles in 1A and 2A. That affirmed to me I can play the game.
“I like the physical fitness and mental focus of tennis. It’s an individual sport but within a team. I like being out there, thinking through the points and strategizing. It’s special to be part of that.”
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA tennis: Richwoods senior reaches milestone, has promising academic future
