Alumnus Ric Mortera '05 named head coach of Fresno State women's tennis program. Photo courtesy of Fresno State.
On July 27, alumnus Ric Mortera '05 was named the 9th head coach of the Fresno State women's tennis program.
Mortera has spent the past three years as assistant coach at Texas Tech, helping increase the program's winning percentage to 81.1 percent, the best in university history. While coaching, the Lady Raiders of Texas Tech made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, eventually making a first-ever appearance as part of the Elite Eight in 2017. For his outstanding work, Mortera was awarded Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Texas Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
As a coach for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), Mortera worked with US Fed Cup player Alexa Glatch and 09' Orange Bowl champ Julia Boserup, improving Glatch's world ranking from No. 302 to No. 179, and helping Boserup reach a career high of No. 174.
"Ric Mortera stands out as one of the best to ever wear the green and gold. He exemplifies all of the best qualities of Jesuit High School," says former coach Jeff Wood. "As a man for others he will no doubt lead the Bulldogs to greatness. They truly are getting one of the best young coaches in college tennis!"
Mortera played on Jesuit's varsity team, where he won the OSAA state high school singles title for Jesuit his senior year. He continued playing as a four-year letter winner for University of Oregon, where he graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science. He expects to earn his masters from Texas Tech in sports management in August.
For more information, read Fresno State's full press release here.