Shiori Fukuda, a Pepperdine alum and a 2022 ITA Singles All-American, begins her first season as the women's tennis volunteer assistant coach in 2023.
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.”
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 received her master's degree in global business from Pepperdine's Graziadio Business School in 2022. She obtained her bachelor's degree in communications from Ohio State in 2020.
She 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.
