SAN DIEGO – Nadia Abdala, who has served as assistant coach for the last eight years under the legendary Sherri Stephens, has been elevated to Head Coach, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Bill McGillis announced on Thursday.
 
"I'm very excited to announce that Nadia Abdala will serve as our next head women's tennis coach," said McGillis. "Nadia has made a tremendously positive impact on our program over the last eight years, and I believe she is ready for this opportunity. I like the trajectory of our program. We have an excellent foundation in place and a positive culture established by Sherri Stephens that I want to preserve. As an alumnus of USD and member of our already successful program, I am certain that Nadia understands clearly our vision for Winning in the Classroom, Winning on the Playing Field and Winning in the Community. Her experience at USD, her pedigree as an outstanding player, her demonstrated ability to connect with and inspire young women, and her clearly-defined plan for advancing our program make her the right person to lead our program forward. I know the role model she will be for the women in our program now and those who will study and play here in the future."
 
Abdala takes over for Stephens, who retired after 38 seasons as head coach after leading the Toreros to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances. With the help of Abdala, USD has earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons, accumulating an overall record of 48-17 during that span.  
 
"I am beyond excited and grateful to be the next head women's tennis coach at the University of San Diego," said Abdala. "I want to thank President Harris and Bill McGillis for this incredible opportunity, and I will work tirelessly to elevate the program to a new level. I am forever indebted to Sherri Stephens for her belief in me, in addition to her guidance and support over the last eight years. I'm looking forward to building on our momentum and achieving our goals, including winning WCC and NCAA championships. Our future is bright, and I cannot wait to get started."
 
This past season, USD compiled a 16-7 (5-2 WCC) record and ranked as high as No. 31 in the country by the ITA. Redshirt junior Solymar Colling ranked as high as No. 30 and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Singles Championship.
 
Abdala joined the Torero family ahead the 2014-15 season after competing on the WTA professional tour and coaching junior players in San Diego. Since then, she has earned ITA Southwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year three times (2015-16, 2018-19 & 2020-21). A proven recruiter, she helped USD land the nation's No. 14 class in 2020.
 
The Mexico City native was a standout player while at Arizona State (2006-2010), competing in four team NCAA Tournaments with three singles appearances and one doubles appearance. At ASU, she led the program to a top-25 team ranking, while also earning a career-high ranking of No. 11 doubles (2008) and No. 19 in singles (2008).
 
After college, Abdala transitioned to the WTA professional tour, achieving a ranking as high as No. 517 in the world in singles and No. 524 in doubles. She was recognized by the ITF for being one of three players to jump more than 500 spots in the rankings in 2011. Abdala also competed twice in the Federation Cup representing Mexico.
 
Abdala is a 2020 masters graduate of USD's Leadership Studies program, and received her Bachelor's degree in Communications at Arizona State in 2010.
 
"We believe we can recruit the best tennis players in the world and compete at the very highest level of collegiate tennis at the University of San Diego," added McGillis. "There is no ceiling here in women's tennis. The academic excellence and beauty of USD, the natural resources of San Diego and Southern California, the rich tennis culture in our community and our brand new world-class on-campus tennis facilities have us very well-positioned to compete for West Coast Conference and national championships in the future. I could not be more excited about what is ahead for our program under Nadia's leadership."