DePaul University Athletics
Doubles Duos Come Through for Scarlet and Blue
11/1/2025 6:50:00 PM | WOMEN'S TENNIS
New pairings, Pehlivan/Stula and Alvarez/Sechi, each earn victories
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – DePaul totaled seven wins in nine matches, including a pair of triumphs from new-look doubles duos on Saturday at the Purdue Invite.
After facing Miami (OH) yesterday, the Blue Demons faced Cincinnati on day two of the invitational.
Doubles action began at 8 a.m. CT from the Schwartz Tennis Center. Head coach Marisa Arce adjusted the doubles lineups, resulting in junior Sasha Stula and freshman Yasemin Pehlivan making their first appearance together this fall. The move paired off, Stula and Pehlivan defeated Tara Kurepa/ Milica Popovski, 6-4.
Roberta Sechi and Helin Alvarez also took the court, having only played one match together this season. The pair fell 6-4 on Friday, but responded today by controlling the match from start to finish with a 6-1 victory.
Senior Hannah Smith and freshman Clara Nilsson did not fare the same, losing 6-3.
In singles, five Blue Demons earned match victories. Stula continued her solid performance as of late with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Gabrielle Guenther. Stula has won three straight matches and six of seven.
Helin Alvarez used the extra day of rest to her advantage. The Venezuelan did not participate in singles competition on Friday, but beat the Bearcats' Isabel Pacheco 6-1, 6-0 in a straight-set sweep.
Smith edged out a victory against Sakurako Watanabe. The 2025 All-BIG EAST first team selection battled in a tight first set to win, 7-6 (3). Smith did the same set two, taking the match after a 7-6 (3) score, and improving to 7-3 this season.
Roberta Sechi squared off against Morgan Pryz, earning a 7-5, 6-2 triumph.
Nilsson provided DePaul with its fifth win of the day. Nilsson moved ahead early, taking a 6-2 advantage into the second set, and finished with a 6-3 result to secure the match.
Purdue Invite
November 1, 2025
Schwartz Tennis Center
West Lafayette, Ind.
Singles
Sasha Stula (DPU) def. Gabrielle Guenther (UC) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Sakurako Watanabe (UC), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3)
Tara Kurepa (UC) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU), 7-5, 6-4
Clara Nilsson (DPU) def. Milica Popovski (UC), 6-2, 6-3
Roberta Sechi (DPU) def. Morgan Pryz (UC) 7-5, 6-2
Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Isabel Pacheco (UC) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
Morgan Pyrz/Gabrielle Guenther (UC) def. Hannah Smith/Clara Nilsson (DPU), 6-3
Sasha Stula/Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU) def. Tara Kurepa/ Milica Popovski (UC) 6-4
Roberta Sechi/Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Sakurako Watanabe/Isabel Pacheco (UC), 6-1
UP NEXT
DePaul concludes play at the Purdue Invite on Sunday, November 2, against the host Purdue Boilermakers. The match is set to begin at 12 p.m. CT.
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.
After facing Miami (OH) yesterday, the Blue Demons faced Cincinnati on day two of the invitational.
Doubles action began at 8 a.m. CT from the Schwartz Tennis Center. Head coach Marisa Arce adjusted the doubles lineups, resulting in junior Sasha Stula and freshman Yasemin Pehlivan making their first appearance together this fall. The move paired off, Stula and Pehlivan defeated Tara Kurepa/ Milica Popovski, 6-4.
Roberta Sechi and Helin Alvarez also took the court, having only played one match together this season. The pair fell 6-4 on Friday, but responded today by controlling the match from start to finish with a 6-1 victory.
Senior Hannah Smith and freshman Clara Nilsson did not fare the same, losing 6-3.
In singles, five Blue Demons earned match victories. Stula continued her solid performance as of late with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Gabrielle Guenther. Stula has won three straight matches and six of seven.
Helin Alvarez used the extra day of rest to her advantage. The Venezuelan did not participate in singles competition on Friday, but beat the Bearcats' Isabel Pacheco 6-1, 6-0 in a straight-set sweep.
Smith edged out a victory against Sakurako Watanabe. The 2025 All-BIG EAST first team selection battled in a tight first set to win, 7-6 (3). Smith did the same set two, taking the match after a 7-6 (3) score, and improving to 7-3 this season.
Roberta Sechi squared off against Morgan Pryz, earning a 7-5, 6-2 triumph.
Nilsson provided DePaul with its fifth win of the day. Nilsson moved ahead early, taking a 6-2 advantage into the second set, and finished with a 6-3 result to secure the match.
Purdue Invite
November 1, 2025
Schwartz Tennis Center
West Lafayette, Ind.
Singles
Sasha Stula (DPU) def. Gabrielle Guenther (UC) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Sakurako Watanabe (UC), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3)
Tara Kurepa (UC) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU), 7-5, 6-4
Clara Nilsson (DPU) def. Milica Popovski (UC), 6-2, 6-3
Roberta Sechi (DPU) def. Morgan Pryz (UC) 7-5, 6-2
Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Isabel Pacheco (UC) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
Morgan Pyrz/Gabrielle Guenther (UC) def. Hannah Smith/Clara Nilsson (DPU), 6-3
Sasha Stula/Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU) def. Tara Kurepa/ Milica Popovski (UC) 6-4
Roberta Sechi/Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Sakurako Watanabe/Isabel Pacheco (UC), 6-1
UP NEXT
DePaul concludes play at the Purdue Invite on Sunday, November 2, against the host Purdue Boilermakers. The match is set to begin at 12 p.m. CT.
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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/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
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/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
/ WOMEN'S TENNIS
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