HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point University women's golf team has two new faces for the 2026-27 season as Rachel Joyce and Francesca Pencelli join the reigning Big South Conference champions.
 
The duo unites with six returners — Makayla Grubb, Anna Howerton, Eva Lye, Ambre Matlega, Anais Arafi, and Savannah Cherry — to complete an eight-woman roster under fifth-year HPU Head Coach Lyndsey Hunnell.

Rachel Joyce | Freshman | Pinehurst, N.C. | Pinecrest High School 

Joyce comes to HPU as the No. 49 recruit in the 2026 Class and No. 187 in the country. The talented Carolinian was crowned the Kathrine Perry-Hamski PKBGT Champion in 2026 and was a NCHSA Individual State Champion in 2025. Joyce, an All-State golfer, is a four-time NCHSA Team State Champion, winning  from 2022 to 2025. 

Coach Hunnell on Joyce: "I'm so excited to have Rachel joining us this year! She has grown so much from the time she committed to HPU to where she is today. She has become a much stronger and more consistent player. Her game have continued to improve every time I've watched her compete. I knew she was going to be a special player as she continued to mature, and I can't wait to see what her career at HPU will look like."

Francesca Pencelli | Freshman | Perugia, Italy | Liceo Scientifico Galeazzo Alessi

Pencelli arrives in the states and joins HPU as a member of the Italian National Team. A successful junior golf career, Pencelli earned medalist honors at the Italian Team Championship Qualifying in 2024 and Coppa d'oro Mario Camicia in 2025. She was runner-up at the Italian Girls U18 National Championship Match Play and placed fifth at Italian International Ladies Amateur Championship in 2025.

Coach Hunnell on Pencelli: "I'm so happy to finally have Frankie here! I was very impressed by her play when I first found her during the recruiting process. She competes for her national team back home, and is one of their top players. She loves to compete and has such a drive for the game. However, once I met her in person, I knew she would be a perfect fit for this program. Her personality fits our team culture so well, and she has a fiery passion for the game that I know will be contagious throughout our team."