Blue Demons Dominate in 6-1 Home Opener Win

Friday, January 30

Chicago, Ill.

12:30 PM

DePaul University

Omaha

Roberta Sechi and Helin Alvarez celebrate their doubles win

1/30/2026 4:58:00 PM | WOMEN'S TENNIS

Box Score (PDF)

Women’s tennis nearly earns sweep Friday afternoon

CHICAGO – DePaul women's tennis opened its home slate in emphatic fashion Friday afternoon, rolling past Omaha, 6-1, at XS Tennis Village to improve to 2-2 on the dual season. The Blue Demons set the tone early and never let up, earning four straight-set singles victories and controlling the match from the middle and lower courts.

"We were so excited to be back competing on our home courts," said head coach Marisa Arce. "It was great to see improvement in some of the things we've been working on. Omaha really challenged us and gave us more to build on, and we're looking forward to our first BIG EAST match tomorrow at Creighton."

Doubles play proved decisive to start the afternoon. DePaul secured the opening point with wins on courts one and three, highlighted by Clara Nilsson and Hannah Smith's 6-2 victory at the top spot. Roberta Sechi and Helin Alvarez followed with a 6-3 decision at No. 3 to give the Blue Demons the early 1-0 advantage heading into singles.

Singles action opened at the No. 5 position, where Sechi cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory to extend DePaul's lead. Moments later, Alvarez delivered another dominant performance at No. 6 with a 6-1, 6-2 win, putting the Blue Demons firmly in control.

Sasha Stula clinched the team point at No. 1, earning a 6-2, 7-5 victory to secure the match. Yasemin Pehlivan followed with a straight-set result at No. 4, adding to the margin. Omaha picked up its lone point at No. 3 in a three-set battle, while Hannah Smith closed the afternoon with a comeback win at No. 2, rallying after dropping the first set to seal the 6-1 decision.

Final Results
DePaul 6, Omaha 1
January 30, 2026
XS Tennis Village - Chicago, Ill.

Doubles
Clara Nilsson/Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Katelynn Kock/Nina Wiese (UNO) 6-2
Jacqueline Pearsall/Shelby Smith (UNO) def. Yasemine Pehlivan/Sasha Stula (DPU) 6-1
Roberta Sechi/Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Khayli Buckels/Summer Shannon (UNO) 6-3

Singles
Sasha Stula (DPU) def. Nina Wiese (UNO) 6-2, 7-5
Hannah Smith (DPU) def. Khayli Buckels (UNO) 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-8
Katelynn Kock (UNO) def. Clara Nilsson (DPU) 5-7, 6-3, 10-6
Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU) def. Shelby Smith (UNO) 6-2, 7-5
Roberta Sechi (DPU) def. Summer Shannon (UNO) 6-1, 6-1
Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Corinne Barber (UNO) 6-1, 6-2

Order of Finish
Doubles: 1-2-3
Singles: 5-6-1-4-3-2

UP NEXT
DePaul returns home tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 31, when it hosts Creighton to open conference play.

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