DePaul University Athletics
Doubles Duo Nilsson and Smith Headed to Round of 16
10/17/2025 11:29:00 PM | WOMEN'S TENNIS
Tandem outscores opponents 16-3 in two match victories
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Freshman Clara Nilsson and senior Hannah Smith advanced to the round of 16 in the doubles main draw on Friday at the Atkins Tennis Center.
Doubles competition opened the day for the Blue Demons. Helin Alvarez and Sasha Stula faced Wisconsin tandem Tianna Rangan and Kaede Usui. Rangan and Usui overpowered the Blue Demon pair, 8-1.
In DePaul's second doubles match, Yasemin Pehlivan and Roberta Sechi fell to Jessica Kovalcik
(ND)/Marilouise Van Zyl (ND), 8-2.
Nilsson and Smith took the court at 10 a.m. CT against Xingtong Jiang and Sienna Osborne of Western Michigan. The Scarlet and Blue pairing moved ahead early and controlled the match, winning 8-0. Nilsson and Smith avenged the loss they suffered versus the Broncos' duo at the Spartan Invite two weeks ago. In the round of 32 match, Nilsson and Smith battled Northwestern's Katya Shepard and Autumn Rabjohns, taking the contest 8-3. The match marks the third consecutive triumph for Nilsson and Smith.
The round of 16 begins at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, October 18. Nilsson and Smith square off against Notre Dame's Bojana Pozder and Bianca Molnar.
In main draw singles, Smith matched up with Marelie Raath of Northwestern. Smith fell in the first set 1-6, but battled in the second frame. Forcing a 6-6 tiebreaker, Raath edged Smith 9-7 to take the match.
Freshman Yasemin Pehlivan came into play with a 6-2 singles record, but lost to Nao Nishino of Ohio State, 3-6, 3-6.
Stula and Lily Jones (Michigan) played a three-set thriller to close out singles play for the Blue Demons. Stula narrowly lost the opening set (6) 6-7, but rebounded to even the match after a 6-3 second-set victory. In the tiebreaker, Jones controlled the game, winning 6-2 to take the match.
ITA Midwest Regionals
October 17, 2025
Atkins Tennis Center
Champaign, Ill.
Singles
Main Draw Round of 64
Marelie Raath (NW) def. Hannah Smith (DPU), 6-1, 7-6 (7)
Nao Nishino (OSU) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU), 6-3, 6-3
Lily Jones (UM) def. Sasha Stula (DPU), 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2
Doubles
Main Draw Round of 64
Tianna Rangan (UW)/Kaede Usui (UW) def. Helin Alvarez (DPU)/Sasha Stula (DPU), 8-1
Jessica Kovalcik (ND)/Marilouise Van Zyl (ND) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU)/Roberta Sechi (DPU), 8-2
Clara Nilsson (DPU)/Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Xingtong Jiang (WMU)/Sienna Osborne (WMU), 8-0
Main Draw Round of 32
Clara Nilsson (DPU)/Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Autumn Rabjohns (NW)/Katya Shepard (NW), 8-3
UP NEXT
The third day of the ITA regionals begins on Saturday. Clara Nilsson and Hannah Smith will compete in the main draw doubles round of 16, while Yasemin Pehlivan, Sasha Stula, and Smith play in the singles consolation round.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Tennis, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Doubles competition opened the day for the Blue Demons. Helin Alvarez and Sasha Stula faced Wisconsin tandem Tianna Rangan and Kaede Usui. Rangan and Usui overpowered the Blue Demon pair, 8-1.
In DePaul's second doubles match, Yasemin Pehlivan and Roberta Sechi fell to Jessica Kovalcik
(ND)/Marilouise Van Zyl (ND), 8-2.
Nilsson and Smith took the court at 10 a.m. CT against Xingtong Jiang and Sienna Osborne of Western Michigan. The Scarlet and Blue pairing moved ahead early and controlled the match, winning 8-0. Nilsson and Smith avenged the loss they suffered versus the Broncos' duo at the Spartan Invite two weeks ago. In the round of 32 match, Nilsson and Smith battled Northwestern's Katya Shepard and Autumn Rabjohns, taking the contest 8-3. The match marks the third consecutive triumph for Nilsson and Smith.
The round of 16 begins at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, October 18. Nilsson and Smith square off against Notre Dame's Bojana Pozder and Bianca Molnar.
In main draw singles, Smith matched up with Marelie Raath of Northwestern. Smith fell in the first set 1-6, but battled in the second frame. Forcing a 6-6 tiebreaker, Raath edged Smith 9-7 to take the match.
Freshman Yasemin Pehlivan came into play with a 6-2 singles record, but lost to Nao Nishino of Ohio State, 3-6, 3-6.
Stula and Lily Jones (Michigan) played a three-set thriller to close out singles play for the Blue Demons. Stula narrowly lost the opening set (6) 6-7, but rebounded to even the match after a 6-3 second-set victory. In the tiebreaker, Jones controlled the game, winning 6-2 to take the match.
ITA Midwest Regionals
October 17, 2025
Atkins Tennis Center
Champaign, Ill.
Singles
Main Draw Round of 64
Marelie Raath (NW) def. Hannah Smith (DPU), 6-1, 7-6 (7)
Nao Nishino (OSU) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU), 6-3, 6-3
Lily Jones (UM) def. Sasha Stula (DPU), 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-2
Doubles
Main Draw Round of 64
Tianna Rangan (UW)/Kaede Usui (UW) def. Helin Alvarez (DPU)/Sasha Stula (DPU), 8-1
Jessica Kovalcik (ND)/Marilouise Van Zyl (ND) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU)/Roberta Sechi (DPU), 8-2
Clara Nilsson (DPU)/Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Xingtong Jiang (WMU)/Sienna Osborne (WMU), 8-0
Main Draw Round of 32
Clara Nilsson (DPU)/Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Autumn Rabjohns (NW)/Katya Shepard (NW), 8-3
UP NEXT
The third day of the ITA regionals begins on Saturday. Clara Nilsson and Hannah Smith will compete in the main draw doubles round of 16, while Yasemin Pehlivan, Sasha Stula, and Smith play in the singles consolation round.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Tennis, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Players Mentioned
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