Posted with permission, article and pictures, courtesy of Hawaii Pacific University

TEMPE, Ariz. – Hawai’i Pacific University junior Jordi Walder was named the Division II Men’s Rookie of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
 
Walder, a junior from Hagen, Germany, won the award that recognizes a first-year student-athlete who has made significant accomplishments to his team in the area of leadership, sportsmanship and performance.
 
Walder was the PacWest Conference Player and Newcomer of the Year. An ITA All-American in singles, he finished the year ranked second nationally with a 13-1 record at No. 1 singles for the Sharks. He also ended the season ranked 13th nationally in doubles with a 13-5 record at No. 1 doubles, primarily with partner Jan Pleva. He recorded a 10-0 record against nationally ranked competition.
 
Walder was also selected as the West Region ITA Rookie of the Year, joining head coach Hendrik Bode who was honored as the West Region Wilson ITA Coach of the Year.
 
The Sharks finished the season ranked sixth in the ITA Division II rankings after posting an 18-3 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals.