The U.S. team competing in the 2017 Master'U BNP Paribas International Collegiate Competition fell just short of capturing its seventh straight title and eighth in the last nine years, losing to Great Britain, 4-2, Sunday in the final of the world's most prestigious international college team event.

The 2017 Master'U competition was held Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in Lille, France, and featured teams from eight countries: Belgium, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Russia and the U.S.

The American team defeated France, 5-2, in the opening round and Germany, 4-2, in the semifinals before falling to the British team in Sunday's final.

"Congratulations to Team Great Britain on their Master'U title," said USTA Collegiate Tennis Director Stephen Amritraj. "We are incredibly proud of our athletes and coaches for Team USA for representing their country with full effort and class. ADVERTISEMENT We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Master'U organization for running an amazing event."

UCLA sophomore Ena Shibahara, Pepperdine sophomore Ashley Lahey, UNC freshman Alle Sanford, Florida junior Alfredo Perez, USC sophomore Brandon Holt and UCLA senior Martin Redlicki represented the U.S. at the 2017 Master'U event. Boise State men’s coach Greg Patton and Ohio State women’s coach Melissa Schaub served as coaches for the team.

Patton, who has coached the U.S. team nine times in the last 10 years, wrote several blogs for USTA.com while the team was in France:

Master'U blog: Team USA arrives in France
Master'U blog: 'Ready for the fireworks to begin'

Master'U blog: U.S. draws tough opening round
Master'U blog: 'Toughest first match we've played'
Master'U blog: 'Going for our seventh straight title'
Master'U blog: 'Can't express enough how proud'