DURHAM, N.C. – Director of Athletics Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins has announced the promotion of Sofia Rachi to head coach of the North Carolina Central University women's tennis program. Rachi served as the NCCU interim women's tennis head coach in 2022-23 and was an assistant coach for the Eagles for one season prior to that in 2021-22.
 
"Sofia proved that she is the right leader for the NCCU women's tennis program last season," said Perkins. "She took over as a young interim coach and immediately had success. I look forward to seeing her continue to grow the program as head coach."
 
In her one season as interim head coach, Rachi led the Eagles to their most wins in a decade. The 11 victories more than doubles NCCU's wins total from the prior year and provided NC Central with its first .500 or better overall record since 2012-13. Among this season's notable non-conference triumphs were Hampton, Eastern Kentucky, North Carolina A&T, Longwood, and the program's first win over UNC Greensboro.
 
Rachi coached the MEAC Women's Tennis Rookie of the Year in Alejandra Hidalgo Vega and two freshmen All-MEAC honorees (Hidalgo Vega and Candice Bernier).
 
In MEAC play, Rachi guided the maroon and gray to a winning 4-2 league record and a 4-0 quarterfinals victory over Coppin State in the 2023 MEAC Women's Tennis Championship.
 
The Eagles also had success in the class room under the direction of Rachi as the women's tennis team earned the Faculty Athletic Council Academic Award (small team) for GPA in 2022-23.
 
Rachi was elevated to interim head coach after just one season as an assistant coach at NCCU. That season was capped by another quarterfinals triumph in the MEAC Women's Tennis Championship.
 
Prior to NCCU, Rachi was a four-year letter winner at fellow MEAC member Delaware State University from 2015-2019. She served as a team captain for the Hornets and was an MEAC All-Academic Team performer.
 
The DSU graduate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice with a minor in law studies and psychology. Rachi graduated cum laude.
 
Rachi was in graduate school at NCCU during her first two seasons with the women's tennis program. She earned a Master's of Science degree in criminal justice in the spring of 2023.
 
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.