Pehlivan, Stula Advance to Singles Main Draw at ITA Regionals

Thursday, October 16

Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

All Day

DePaul University

ITA Midwest Regionals

Pehlivan, Stula Advance to Singles Main Draw at ITA Regionals

10/16/2025 11:05:00 PM | WOMEN'S TENNIS

Day 1 Results

The pair joins Hannah Smith as the three Blue Demon participants in singles main draw

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Freshman Yasemin Pehlivan and junior Sasha Stula each advanced through the singles qualifying stages on Thursday to compete in the main draw beginning on Friday, Oct. 16, from the Atkins Tennis Center at the University of Illinois.

Singles qualifying action began at 9 a.m. CT, with Pehlivan facing Marquette's Aiyana Abbott in the round of 64. Pehlivan made quick work of Abbott, winning 6-2, 6-2. Freshman Clara Nilsson played against Jenna Horne (NIU) at the same time slot.

Nilsson battled in the first set, edging out Horne for the 7-6 (7-5) advantage early. Nilsson remained in control, taking the set two, 6-1 to claim the match.

Sasha Stula and Roberta Sechi each began their matches at 10:30 a.m. CT. Stula lost a tight first set, (4-7) 6-7, but rebounded quickly, taking the final two sets, 6-2, 10-4 to beat Marta Halbersztadt (UIC). Sechi squared off against Lacey Tanner of Valparaiso. The Sassari, Italy native jumped out to an early lead with a 6-1 set one victory. Tanner battled back in the second, but Sechi held her ground, securing the match after a 7-6 (9-7) score.

Redshirt sophomore Helin Alvarez competed against Bowling Green's Konstantina Adamopoulou, but fell 3-6, 4-6.

In the qualifying round of 32, Pehlivan matched up with Issey Purser of Michigan State for the second time this fall. The Istanbul, Turkey native won 6-2, 6-2 for her second win of the season against Purser. Pehlivan sits at an impressive 6-2 through her first eight career singles matches.

Nilsson fought hard in her match with the Spartans' Nina Plihal, losing the first set 4-6. Set two was much of the same; Nilsson made it close, but Plihal secured the straight-set triumph with a 7-5 win.

Although Stula's first match was a back-and-forth affair, the Gifu, Japan, product dominated in the round of 32, defeating Chloe Koons (SIUE), 6-1, 6-1.

Sechi took the court versus Maia Loureiro of Northwestern for a trip to the main draw. Loureiro came out on top 6-1, 6-1.

DePaul's doubles duos will play on Friday in the main draw. Alvarez/Stula, Nilsson/Smith, Pehlivan/Sechi look to continue to build chemistry on the court after playing the first two weekends of the fall slate together.

ITA Midwest Regionals
October 16, 2025
Atkins Tennis Center
Champaign, Ill.

Singles
Qualifying Round of 64
Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU) def. Aiyana Abbott (MU), 6-2, 6-2
Clara Nilsson (DPU) def. Jenna Horne (NIU), 7-6 (7-5), 6-1
Sasha Stula (DPU) def. Marta Halbersztadt (UIC), (4-7) 6-7, 6-2, 10-4
Roberta Sechi (DPU) def. Lacey Tanner (VALPO), 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)
Konstantina Adamopoulou (BGU) def. Helin Alvarez (DPU), 6-3, 6-4

Qualifying Round of 32
Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU) def. Issey Purser (MSU), 6-2, 6-2
Nina Plihal (MSU) def. Clara Nilsson (DPU), 6-4, 7-5
Sasha Stula (DPU) def. Chloe Koons (SIUE), 6-1, 6-1
Maia Loureiro (NU) def. Roberta Sechi (DPU), 6-1, 6-1

UP NEXT
Singles main draw action begins at 9 a.m. CT on Friday, Oct. 17, with doubles main draw competition to follow.

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