Men’s Tennis’ Constantin Schmitz Falls in First Round of NCAA Singles Championships

Wednesday, May 24

Athens, Ga.

12 pm CT

Tulane University

Oklahoma's Alex Ghilea: L, 6-0, 6-0

Photo by: Parker Waters

Men’s Tennis’ Constantin Schmitz Falls in First Round of NCAA Singles Championships

May 24, 2017 | Men's Tennis

Schmitz ends year 24-7

ATHENS, Ga. – Tulane men's tennis junior Constantin Schmitz could not find his footing in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championships on Wednesday afternoon and suffered from an uncharacteristic 6-0, 6-0 loss to Oklahoma's Alex Ghilea. The loss officially closes the door on the 2016-17 season for the Green Wave.

"Unfortunately, today Constantin ran into another great player who got off to a really hot start," Tulane head coach Mark Booras said. "That mixed with Constantin's slow start and some nerves didn't make for a good formula. He fought like crazy the whole time but just couldn't get it going his way."

Schmitz recorded a terrific season in which he produced a 24-7 overall record. In the fall, Schmitz finished as runner-up at the ITA Southern Regional, marking the best Tulane finish there since 2003. In addition, Schmitz won seven straight at the Niceville Futures Tournament where he emerged from qualifying all the way into the main draw final.

In the spring, Schmitz went 16-3 in dual matches, knocked off eight ranked foes, climbed to a career high national ranking of No. 16 in the country in singles and led the Green Wave to its second straight appearance in the NCAA Championships.

"Constantin had a fantastic season for us," Booras added. "He did such a great job stepping up into the No. 1 position for his first time and putting himself up with the top players in the country. Being seeded top-16 at the NCAA Singles Championships shows how great of a year he had. He was a huge reason for our team's success this year and we're so proud of him."

The Germany native was a five-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week, an All-Conference selection and The American's Co-Player of the Year.

Lastly, Schmitz could potentially pick up one more major accolade in the form of NCAA All-America due to his nationally ranking inside the top-20. That list won't be released until the conclusion of the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships.