Julia Wojtowicz Crowned 2023 Journal Star Girls Tennis Player of the Year

Richwoods junior Julia Wojtowicz showcased her skills during a thrilling match against Bloomington High School on September 29, 2022, at the Richwoods tennis courts. Her impressive performance throughout the season, alongside Dunlap’s Shikha Agarwal, caught the attention of the Peoria area.

In a head-to-head match on September 30, Wojtowicz emerged victorious with a tense 7-6 (3), 7-6 (6) win over Agarwal. This match essentially became a championship match for the Peoria area, solidifying Wojtowicz as the 2023 Journal Star Girls Tennis Player of the Year.

Agarwal, a remarkable senior from Dunlap, also achieved recognition with IHSA Class 1A second-team all-state honors. Agarwal’s leadership guided the Eagles to a historic third-place finish, the best in the school’s girls tennis program history.

“It’s still so surreal to be part of this,” said Dunlap coach Pat Gornik. “Shikha gets to 100 career wins, we finish third at state. We came out with a historic performance.”

The Dunlap High School girls tennis team celebrated their exceptional accomplishment by signing the third-place trophy with a silver sharpie. Gornik emphasized the significance of their names being etched on the trophy, symbolizing their powerful achievement.

Other notable players in the 2023 Journal Star all-area girls tennis team include Sophie Muir and Alassea Michel from Dunlap, Brianna Bessert and Emma Hernandez from Metamora, Maya Baman from Dunlap, Olivia Reynolds from Richwoods, Hailey Gerlach from Washington, Theresa Bartelme from Richwoods, and Lauren Poole from Metamora.

These talented athletes displayed their skills and impressive records throughout the season, earning recognition for their exceptional performances on the court.

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Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.