ORLANDO, Fla. – After a historic season, Constant De La Bassetiere ended his last season with Penn State men's tennis in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championship Tournament.
De La Bassetiere is the Nittany Lions' first NCAA Singles Championship qualifier since Leo Stakhovsky in 2014 and just the second Nittany Lion to qualify since 2005. He is the 20th NCAA Singles Championship selection in program history.
The senior captain dropped a close first set to No. 4 seed, Paul Jubb of South Carolina, 7-5, before losing the second set, 6-2.
De La Bassetiere finished the regular season ranked No. 29 in the nation. He also finished the dual season with an impressive 21-4 record playing at No. 1 singles. He went 10-2 against ranked opponents and was voted unanimously as a first team All-Big Ten performer.
The Reims, France native helped the Blue and White to their third 20-plus win season in program history this year, finishing with a 20-9 record. All three 20-plus win seasons have come under the tenure of eighth-year head coach Jeff Zinn. Penn State advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in program history and picked up a win in the tournament for the fifth time after defeating Monmouth 4-0 in first-round action.
"I first want to thank Constant for everything he has given to Penn State and our tennis program," Zinn said. "He will be remembered as one of the all time greats for the Nittany Lions. We always talk about representing our University in a positive manner and being a high character individual. Constant exemplifies these qualities every day and we are so so proud of him and all he has accomplished. He played his heart out tonight but came up a little short. Constant gave his all and that is exactly what he's done everyday since he walked on the Penn State campus. He will be missed!"
"Constant had many opportunities in his match against the No. 4 seed," associate head coach Paul Tobin said. "Constant had a great year with us, win or lose today, he should proud of what he set out to accomplish."
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