Women's Tennis | 4/8/2025 11:30:00 AM
DURHAM, N.C. – Head coach of the North Carolina Central women's tennis team, Sofia Rachi Cucalon, announced the signing of two recruits who will arrive in the Bull City in the fall semester.
Coming from the West Coast, Journee Henderson is a 4-star recruit currently ranked 155th nationally, 32nd in the Southwest region and fifth in the state of Arizona according to the Babolat Recruiting Lists.
Henderson received a scholarship to attend the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in October 2024, competing with 80 other juniors in Spain. Henderson was also a finalist at the Little Mo Internationals in Colorado Springs, Colo. and a champion in the 12's division at regionals.
Sara Barbaric will also make her way to the sloping hills and verdant green by way of Osijek, Croatia. Barbaric brings a wealth of experience after battling at the junior level versus international competition.
Some of Barbaric's most recent successes came in the 2024 J30 Rijeka and J30 Doboj where she reached the third round of each draw with victories over opponents from Poland, the Philippines, Serbia and Slovenia. At the 2024 J30 Vinkovci, Barbaric reached the semifinal in doubles with partner Zara Stipcevic.
Rachi Cucalon looks forward to the new crop of talent she will be coaching this fall.
"I am so excited for Sara and Journee to join us in August," said Rachi Cucalon. "They are both amazing tennis players and great people! Their dedication, work ethic and passion for the game will make an immediate impact on our team and I can't wait to see them grow and thrive in our program."
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