BUTLER TWP — When it comes to WPIAL singles and postseason tennis competition, Teddi Isherwood may be one of the most talented cheerleaders around.

The Butler senior girls tennis standout returned to the school district this fall after spending the last two years of her education at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

But because she switched schools this year, she has not been approved for WPIAL tournament play.

“It's disappointing, but I'm still rooting for our players and will do everything I can to help them do better,” Isherwood said. “I love these girls. This is the nicest group of girls I've played with.”

Isherwood and Reagan Sommariva were freshman teammates with Butler girls tennis three years ago. Sommariva wound up transferring to North Catholic while Isherwood headed to Florida.

“We made the playoffs the year they were both here,” Butler girls tennis coach Alisa Green said.

Isherwood is 4-1 as the Golden Tornado's No. 1 singles player this season. Her lone defeat is to Pine-Richland's Elaine Qien. Both are considered among the best players in the WPIAL.

“Teddi just has an all-around game,” Green said. “She's got a hard serve, is excellent on the forehand and backhand, plays the middle well, is good with volleys ... she's a very aggressive, confident player.”

Her four victories this season are by lopsided margins.

She has been into tennis since the age of 5.

“My neighbor played and I was intrigued by it,” Isherwood said. “Then I went to a tennis clinic in Butler and really wanted to learn the game.

“My father pushed me to be the best player I could be. I wanted to go to IMG Academy to improve my game and help better my chances of playing in college.”

While at IMG Academy, her team never played against outside competition. It didn't have to.

All of the best competition was in-house.

“I went to class in the morning and played tennis for four hours in the afternoon every day,” Isherwood said. “Some of the best players in the world were down there.

“There were girls from China, Australia, Germany ... all were passionate about the game and had similar goals to mine.

“I learned so much when I was at IMG. It really elevated my game,” she added.

Green agreed.

“You watch her play and she usually dominates,” the coach said.

“She knows her game and competes hard on the court,” Butler assistant coach Gretchen Wilson said. “Her movement is so smooth. She's just an athletic, confident player.”

So why did she leave IMG Academy?

“The COVID situation in Florida, plus I wanted to get back to my family,” Isherwood said. “And I wanted to play one more year of high school tennis.”

Green only wishes she could have her top player next year as well. Butler has three juniors, a sophomore at No. 2 singles, a another sophomore at No. 3 and one more at doubles.

Butler is battling for the final WPIAL playoff spot in its section.

“We'll miss her if we do get in,” Green said of Isherwood. “That's what our program has been missing, a player at her level.”

Isherwood has verbally committed to the University of New Haven, a Division II school, to continue her academic and tennis career.

She is also looking at a few Division I schools, including Temple, Marshall and Boston University.

“I'd love to get into coaching tennis in the future,” she said, already working with some of Butler's younger players.

“Right now, I want to find a college with a nice team, a nice group of girls to play tennis with — just like we have right here.”