Former Irvine Valley state champion men's tennis player and All-American Scott Paz was named the head coach of the Wagner University women's program this week.
Wagner is a Division I private liberal arts college in Staten Island, New York City.
The announcement was made by Wagner College Director of Athletics Walt Hameline.
As a member of the amazing Irvine Valley tennis teams, under coach Ross Duncan, Paz helped Irvine Valley capture two straight Community College Athletics Association State Championships (2015 and 2016).
The Lasers posted a 21-2 overall record in Paz's sophomore year. The two losses were to four-year schools.
On the court, Paz, who was a team captain, posted a 14-2 mark in singles action in, playing out of the No. 3, 4, and 5 spots.
In doubles play, Paz recorded an 18-1 record, going 11-0 when paired with teammate Bruno Figlia during his sophomore campaign. The duo went on to earn Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American honors for doubles play as they won Irvine Valley's second straight State doubles title.
At season's end, Paz, who played at Trabuco Hills High before IVC, was recognized as the No. 1 doubles player in the state while ranking among the top-20 in singles action, as well.
He was also a two-year scholar athlete for the Lasers.
Paz went on to compete at Big Sky member Eastern Washington University. He was team captain his senior year. Paz notched 27 career singles wins while recording 30 doubles victories.
In 2017, he was the first Eagle to win a round at the ITA All-American Tournament.
Paz racked up the most doubles wins in a season and posted the second-most single wins competing at No. 2 through No. 4 singles while finishing with an 8-3 record in Big Sky matches.
He was selected by the Eastern Washington University Athletic Department as its Scholar-Athlete of the Month for May. At the conclusion of the year, he earned an honorable mention spot on the Big Sky All-Conference team. He also was named to the ITA All-Academic Team.
In 2018, Paz, along with his doubles teammate, defeated two previously ranked teams, and wasr ranked as high as No. 32 and No. 77 in the country. For the second straight year, he led the Eagles in doubles wins, all coming from the No. 1 position, while placing second on the team in singles victories.
After concluding his collegiate tennis career, Paz served as an assistant coach on the Eagles' staff. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from EWU in 2019. Paz was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Honors' Society in Economics.
In addition to his coaching duties, Paz will be pursuing a Master's degree at Wagner.
