My Tar Heel Tale: Reese Brantmeier
by Reese Brantmeier // February 2, 2026
This story is the fifth installment in the "My Tar Heel Tale" series – a first-person look into the most impactful moments of current and former student-athletes' journeys at Carolina.
Standout Moments
My first success on the national stage came when I was 14, after I won the Girls’ 16 USTA National Championship. That result qualified me to compete in that year’s Women’s US Open qualifying, as well as the main draw of the junior event. Getting to compete at the grand slam level was eye-opening. It was the first time that a professional career started to feel like a realistic goal and not just a dream.
I have since gone on to compete in the Women’s US Open four different years in women’s singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. I debated turning professional in high school, which would have prevented me from ever competing in college. I credit my decision to come to Carolina as a massive source of improvement in my tennis journey. Since coming to school, I have grown immeasurably as both a player and a person. I’ve matured so much on and off the court. Now with my time at Carolina coming to a close, I am more prepared to play on the professional tour than ever.
Playing here has been the greatest honor of my career. Tennis is traditionally an individual sport, so outside of college tennis, it is rare that we get the experience of playing for a team. I was so excited to get the opportunity to play for something bigger than myself. I could not have picked a better place to do that than UNC. This program values the person-over-player mentality more than any in the country. To combine genuine family values with world-class athletics is not common. It has been a privilege to represent such an incredible legacy of women who have come before me on this team. Each of our staff members inspires me daily with their dedication to myself and my teammates. This environment is something truly special!
Winning with Support
I would not be writing this today without my amazing support system. The time you are on the court by yourself is a tiny fraction of the amount of work that goes into high-level performance. Since the beginning of my tennis career, I have had the most supportive family who always encouraged me to pursue even the loftiest of my goals. At Carolina, I’ve been so lucky to find coaches, staff, and teammates who make Chapel Hill feel like home. Particularly, UNC Sports Medicine and athletic trainers – I’ve unfortunately had a bumpy road with injury, but these amazing people have single-handedly kept me in the sport that I love! My success is a direct product of the incredible people who dedicate their time and effort to me every single day.
Carolina Blue Memories
I have so many moments from Carolina that I will always hold close to my heart. Of course, the one moment that first comes to mind is winning the 2023 NCAA Championship with my teammates. This was the first NCAA title ever for our program, and it was such an honor to be a part of marking our history books. It was so special to celebrate it with everyone connected to our program and see how much that moment meant to our coaches, alumni, donors, families, and supporters.
I recently capped off my individual collegiate career with an NCAA singles national championship at those same courts where we won our team title during my freshman year. That was such a special, full-circle moment that I think encapsulated my growth on this team. Coming back to Chapel Hill to see the bell tower lit blue for me was the biggest honor. My accomplishments have always been so much more meaningful when I get to do them for and alongside people I care about. This was such a great reminder of the larger organization and legacy of Carolina Athletics that I am grateful to be a small part of!
Leaving a Heel Print in the Community
My court renovation project has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This had been a dream of mine since I began playing tennis at the age of 8. I never imagined how many people would come together to support that little girl’s dream, and I am so grateful for every single one! Tennis is for everyone, and the support I gained through this project allowed me to make that true for my hometown.
Too often, tennis comes with financial or opportunistic barriers that keep kids out of the sport. I am lucky that my parents were able to provide me with my equipment and cover travel and court fees. When I first picked up a racket, I didn’t do it with dreams of being a professional in mind. I just enjoyed the sport and wanted to play more. Now, tennis has changed my life in more ways than I can count. It has brought me all over the world, provided me an education from one of the best universities in the country, and given me my closest friends. Every kid should have the opportunity to experience all that tennis has to offer, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
These courts sat outside my elementary school, cracked beyond playability and locked for many years. I dreamed of restoring these courts and bringing grassroots tennis back to my hometown. When I was a kid, I knew I wanted to play closer to home with my friends. Instead, my parents had to drive me 40 minutes to the nearest club. As I got older, I began to understand the larger picture and how important accessibility to sport is for children’s engagement, enjoyment, and success.
After beginning our fundraising efforts during my freshman year of college with the help of the Patrick Ryan Memorial Tennis Foundation, we successfully raised $160,000 and held our grand opening of the courts this summer. These community courts are available to the public 24/7, as well as with free rackets, balls, and instructional packets available at each local school and our city’s public library. Getting to see people of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate our opening was surreal – nothing short of a dream come true. It is definitely my proudest accomplishment!
Building a Legacy Beyond Carolina
We hope to see these courts active for many years to come, so we are still fundraising to provide the city with the first wave of upkeep costs. You can donate or find more information at our website: www.reesebrantmeierproject.com!
I will continue to stay engaged with tennis in Whitewater at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, hoping to foster a cycle of leadership that will continue growing the sport throughout the next generations. It would be my dream to inspire another small-town kid to uplift their community through their own passions.