MALIBU, California – Shiori Fukuda, a 2022 Pepperdine alum and a 2022 ITA Singles All-American, has been named the volunteer assistant coach for the Pepperdine women's tennis program as announced by head coach Per Nilsson on Thursday.
 
One of the most decorated players in school history, Fukuda was named the 2022 ITA Southwest Region Player of the Year and the 2022 West Coast Conference Player of the Year. The Tokyo, Japan native was a two-time All-WCC first team honoree and finished the 2022 dual season ranked as the 14th-best singles player in the country. She went 30-12 in singles play and led the Waves to a 10th-consecutive regular season WCC title and a second-consecutive appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals. In 2021, Fukuda helped the Waves reach the national championship match for the first time in school history.
 
Fukuda started her playing career at Ohio State, earning Big Ten Athlete of the Year honors in 2020. She was an All-Big Ten first team performer three seasons in a row from 2018 through 2020 and was the ITA Midwest Region Rookie of the Year in 2018.
 
Fukuda said: "I am excited to come back to Pepperdine as a member of the coaching staff. I think there are lots of things to learn from the best coaches in the nation, as well as the girls. I am looking forward to another great season with my favorite people."
 
The Waves, ranked 10th in the ITA preseason coaches poll, begin the dual season January 22, 2023 with a road match at #12 California. First serve is scheduled for 1 pm.