Women's Tennis Team Hires New Assistant Coach

MALIBU, Calif. -- Pepperdine women’s tennis coach Gualberto Escudero will have a new assistant coach for the rest of the 2007-08 season, as Cintia Tortorella has resigned to take a new position and former Waves standout tennis player Scott Doerner will take over as assistant coach for the remainder of the 07-08 campaign.

“Whenever there’s a new hire, it’s a big shot in the arm,” Escudero said. “It’s a big shot in the arm having Scott since he’s so well respected at Pepperdine by his peers and he brings in new excitement to our team. His tennis ability will help the team and they’ll learn from his experience.”

Doerner will take over the women’s tennis responsibilities in time for the Waves’ final fall tournament and the spring dual-meet season. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Doerner has been working as the Pepperdine men’s volunteer assistant coach since the beginning of the 2007-08 season. Doerner is no stranger to the Waves’ tennis tradition, as he was a member of the Pepperdine men’s tennis team from 2003-06 and was part of the squad that captured the 2006 national championship. Doerner was a standout on the court, as he was named a two-time doubles All-American (2005, 2006) and the WCC’s Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. Doerner ended his senior season ranked #14 in the ITA’s singles rankings after compiling a 21-8 record, and a #2 national ranking in doubles with Andre Begemann. After completing his Waves career, Doerner played on the professional circuit for a year before returning to Malibu.

“I love Pepperdine and it’s great to be back,” Doerner said. “I know some of the girls on the team from when I played, and we have a great team this year, so hopefully I can help us have a great year. I know Gual really well and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

“Scott brings with him a lot of experience and knowledge he gained with the men’s tennis team,” Escudero said. “He came from a national championship team, so he can incorporate some of the things he’s learned into our program. I’m excited, he’s excited, the team’s excited and it’s a great fit for Pepperdine.”

Tortorella, who was in her fourth season as assistant coach, was hired as the program director for the Agassi Safe-Passage All-Stars Program Director in Carson, Calif. The program’s mission is to “provide locally based student athletes with advanced educational curriculum as well as advanced tennis instruction to help to reach greater levels of academic and athletic achievement.” In her three-plus seasons as the Waves assistant coach, the team recorded a 56-23 record and won the WCC title each year under her watch. Prior to becoming the Waves’ assistant coach in 2004, Tortorella enjoyed a standout playing career for the Waves from 1999-2001, and still holds the Waves’ single-season record for wins in a season with 26 in 2001.

“We’re going to miss Cintia and she’s going to miss Pepperdine so much, so it makes it doubly sad,” Escudero said. “Our teams have done well while she’s been here, so we’re sad to see her leave. I also know that it’s a great opportunity for her to be a director of her own program. I’m all for her going forward in her career even though it’s hard to let go.”

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