Pepperdine University Athletics

Grace Ricafranca served as an assistant women's basketball coach for two seasons (2019-20 and 2020-21). 

"We are so excited to bring Grace into Pepperdine," said head coach Kristen Dowling at the time of Ricafranca's hiring in August 2019. "She comes from a very good Biola program that she helped make the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, so she is really up to date on how things work in regards to compliance. She is a phenomenal fit with the Pepperdine mission, and is extremely relationship based. Grace will work with our guards, as well as running a lot of our 1-on-1 workouts in order to build skill and strength. I am really excited to see where Grace helps bring us."

Ricafranca has spent the previous five years in the lead assistant position at Biola, where she helped lead the Eagles to three postseason appearances, including the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in six years. In her time at Biola, she was responsible for guard position development, scouting and film sessions, summer camps and team operations. 

"I would love to express my gratitude to Dr. Steve Potts, Karina Herold and Coach Dowling for the opportunity to be part of the Waves Family," said Ricafranca. "I have always had a great respect for Coach Dowling's leadership, faith, and how she uses that to create a culture for success. I'm incredibly excited to be joining Pepperdine to help bring enthusiasm and competitiveness further contributing to the team's continued success."

Ricafranca graduated from Biola University with a degree in business management in 2013 and earned her master's in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University-Irvine in 2016. She began her coaching career at Los Altos High School, and later served as head coach at Whittier Christian High School, helping lead the team to the CIF second round both years she coached there.