In a little over two seasons of collegiate tennis at Washington College, Robin Sander accomplished far more than most players can hope to achieve in four years.
As a freshman in 1994, Robin helped lead the Shoremen to the school's first-ever NCAA Division III National Championship as the team finished off a 19-2 season with a 5-4 victory over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the national championship match. He was an All-American in both singles and doubles that season, reaching the final of the NCAA Division III Doubles Championship and competing in the NCAA Division III Singles Tournament. He was also named the Centennial Conference's Player of the Year and landed on the All-Centennial first team for both singles and doubles. He was ranked number one in the nation in both singles and doubles during the 1994 season.
The following season, Robin again earned All-American honors in both singles and doubles and repeated as Centennial Conference Player of the Year and as an all-conference first-team selection in both singles and doubles. He reached the championship match in the NCAA Division III Singles Tournament and the semifinals in the NCAA Division III Doubles Tournament. He helped lead the Shoremen to a 19-3 record and a spot in the NCAA Division III National Championship match that season.
Early in the 1996 season, Robin decided to pursue interests outside tennis, but his impact on the men's tennis program was still immeasurable. In addition to a national championship, over the course of his two full seasons, the Shoremen breezed to two Centennial Conference Championships and posted a 38-5 dual match record, losing just two matches – both to the same team – against Division III opponents.
Washington College considers it an honor and privilege to induct Robin Sander into its Athletic Hall of Fame on this 17th day of October, 2015.
