Pezzuco inks NLI with Western Carolina

Johnston Sun Rise ·

Senior Julia Pezzuco recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play tennis at Western Carolina University (Southern Conference) next fall following her graduation from The Wheeler School in Providence. Julia’s official NCAA Division I signing took place on Nov. 14, and the Wheeler community celebrated with a special event that included her family, coaches, Wheeler administrators and classmates.  

Julia captured the Rhode Island Interscholastic League girls’ singles state title in 2016, and she was also tabbed the 2017 R.I. Girls’ Tennis Player of the Year. In 2015, Pezzuco reached the title round of the state tournament. Playing at the No. 1 spot in the Wheeler lineup the following season, she posted a 16-2 regular-season mark, with her only losses coming at the hands of the then three-time defending state champion. During the state tournament, Pezzuco cruised to the title round once again; however, the result would be different, as she avenged her loss from the year before and became Wheeler’s third athlete (joining Marissa Alikpala ‘01 and Jane Forman ‘80) to ever capture the Rhode Island girls’ singles state championship.

The Johnston native finished her career as a two-time First Team All-State selection and a two-time First Team All-Division selection.