Staying home
SLIPPERY ROCK — To improve her tennis skills, Teddi Isherwood headed south to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
To further her tennis career, the Butler senior is merely headed up the street.
Isherwood signed a letter of intent Wednesday to continue her academic and tennis career with Slippery Rock University.
“They have a tremendous program up there and I know Coach (Matt Meredith) will work hard to make me a better player,” Isherwood said.
She also considered Indiana (Pa.) University and New Haven before deciding on The Rock. Isherwood plans to major in art education.
Her father, Bob Isherwood, is a professor at SRU.
Isherwood was 8-1 this season for Butler. Because she was a transfer, she was ineligible to compete in WPIAL team or individual postseason play.
“I want to make up for that in college,” she said. “My goals are to make the 100-win club at Slippery Rock and help the team win a PSAC championship.”
Meredith is confident that can happen.
Only 11 players have reached the 100-win club in SRU tennis. Isherwood becomes the first Butler tennis player to join the program since Courtney Gallagher, who last played at The Rock in 2016.
“With her dad working here, we've always talked,” Meredith said of Isherwood. “I've been interested in getting Teddi here for a while now and I'm thrilled that she's coming.
“I am going to push her and she will push our other players. At IMG, she's had elite training. She is a high-level player.”
Meredith would know about that.
He will enter his 23rd season as Rock head coach next year. Meredith's 323 career wins rank 16th all-time in NCAA Division II tennis. He is a six-time PSAC Coach of the Year, has guided his teams to 15 NCAA Tournaments and three regional championships.
He's also coached 43 All-PSAC players, including all 11 100-win club members.
“Teddi will play for us as a freshman,” Meredith said. “She'll play singles and doubles. The only question is where in our lineup. That will be determined when she gets on the court for us.”
Isherwood is joining a young team. SRU will have no seniors on its roster next year and two transfers — Gabi del Val del Toro from Coker University and Adriana Gonzalez Sanchez from St. Louis University — are from Spain.
“We're definitely putting together a contending team,” Meredith said.
Isherwood played tennis at Butler as a freshman before attending IMG Academy for her sophomore and junior years.
“That experience down there helped my game tremendously,” Isherwood said. “My coaches were top tier, elite level. Some of them were former pros.
“At the same time, I'm excited about staying closer to home for the next few years. I've set high goals for myself and I'm ready to contribute to a great team and a great program.”
