University of Louisville
NCAA Singles Championship
Stiefelmeyer Bows Out of NCAA Singles Championship
May 22, 2015 | Men's Tennis
WACO, Texas - The University of Louisville's Sebastian Stiefelmeyer lost 7-5, 6-4 to Columbia's Winston Lin in the NCAA Men's Tennis Round of 16 Friday at Baylor's Hurd Tennis Center.
Stiefelmeyer finishes his senior season with a 42-7 singles mark - a school record for singles wins - and stands third on Louisville's all-time list with 114 career victories.
"Obviously I am very disappointed that I lost today and finished my college career with such a tough loss, but I am more than thankful that I spent the past four years at the University of Louisville and got the opportunity to experience college tennis," said Stiefelmeyer. "The past four years are linked to so many special and positive memories. I could not have asked for a better support from my teammates, coaching staff, family, girlfriend, and friends. One the one hand I am sad that it is over, but on the other hand I am more than happy that it happened."
Stiefelmeyer, the fifth-seeded player in the tournament entered the day as the highest remaining seed in the field as he squared off against 17th ranked Winston. Stiefelmeyer jumped to a 4-1 lead in the first set, but Lin rallied to even the score at 4-4 and eventually won 7-5. The players battled in the second set, but Lin prevailed 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals.
"Historians say tennis is a game of inches, and they were right about this tennis match," said UofL head coach Rex Ecarma. "Sebastian hit a dozen shots an inch or less out, and Winston hit two dozen balls an inch or less in. Sebastian was one point away from a 4-0 lead but lost control of this critical set. The second set went back and forth, but Winston won a few more big points. This ends maybe the greatest single-season performance ever in our program's history. Only Michael Mather's 27-1 singles record in his senior season, or Austen Childs' NCAA runner-up junior year can even compare to it. I love Sebastian like my own son and he will always be a part of my life."
Stiefelmeyer leaves Louisville as one of the program's most highly-decorated players. He was an all-conference selection in three different leagues, most recently taking home 2015 all-ACC first team honors. He was also named the Ohio Valley Region's Most Improved Senior and became the program's first national Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award winner in 2015.
After entering the 2014-15 fall season at No. 110 in the ITA singles rankings, Stiefelmeyer proceeded to become the first Louisville player to capture the Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championship by winning nine straight matches with six upset victories. In the spring, he went on to become the nation's top-ranked player - twice - and remained in the top eight throughout the 2015 dual match season. He made his first NCAA singles championship appearance as the overall No. 5 seed.
Stiefelmeyer has also garnered several academic honors throughout his career. The economics major - who received his bachelor's degree in May, 2015 - earned the 2015 ACC Scholar-Athlete Award. He is a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete and was the American Athletic Conference Sport Excellence Award winner in 2014.
NCAA Singles Championship Results
May 22, 2015
Round of 16
#17 Winston Lin (COLUMBIA) def. #5 [5] Sebastian Stiefelmeyer (LOUISVILLE) 7-5, 6-4
Players Mentioned
