Women’s Tennis Narrowly Defeated in a Tight Conference Contest

Saturday, April 4

Chicago, Ill.

3:30 PM

DePaul University

Xavier

Women’s Tennis Narrowly Defeated in a Tight Conference Contest

4/5/2026 12:01:00 AM | WOMEN'S TENNIS

Box Score

Blue Demons fall in a 4-3 loss to Xavier on Senior Night

CHICAGO, Ill. – On Saturday evening, DePaul women's tennis fought hard but ultimately dropped its first conference match of the season to Xavier in a 4-3 loss held at XS Tennis Village. The Blue Demons are now 10-9 on the season and 6-1 in BIG EAST play, while the Musketeers improve to 12-8 and 3-0 in the conference.

DePaul's senior night commenced with head coach Marisa Arce delivering a heartfelt speech honoring senior Hannah Smith and her journey, growth, and impact throughout her four years in Lincoln Park. Arce summed up the pre-match celebration with a poignant quote, taken from the ever-inspirational Winnie the Pooh, posing the question, "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so difficult."

The Blue Demons capitalized on fast starts in doubles action, with both No. 2 and No. 3 courts jumping out to early 4-1 leads in their bouts. The tandem of Sasha Stula and Eleanor Cochran maintained their lead and won 6-1, and the dynamic duo of Roberta Sechi and Helin Alvarez also coasted to a 6-3 victory. Xavier nabbed doubles court No. 1, in a 6-1 win.

With the doubles point secured, DePaul looked to its lower courts to expand their lead throughout singles play. Freshman Clara Nilsson made quick work of her opponent in straight sets, triumphing 6-3, 6-2 on court No. 5. After ceding points on courts No. 1 and 4, Alvarez, the Venezuelan, gave DePaul a 3-2 lead for the Blue Demons thanks to a 6-3, 6-2 winning effort on No. 6.

Up in the match 3-2, DePaul needed one win from either Yasemin Pehlivan or Smith, the senior, in the last home match of her collegiate career. Pehlivan, after battling to a narrow 6-7(4) tiebreak loss in set one, ultimately fell 2-6 in set two, setting the stage for Smith's skirmish to define the outcome of the match.

The Silchester, England native started off strong, taking the first set 7-5 after breaking No. 121-ranked Rexroat's serve late in the set. Then, she dropped the second set 4-6, setting the stage for a pivotal third set. In the third, Smith started slowly, going down 1-4 after her opponent held serve, but clawed back to 4-5 and was serving to equalize the matchup. But, after some timely shotmaking from Rexroat, Smith was defeated 4-6 in the third.

This result marks the ninth consecutive win for Xavier over DePaul.

Final Results
Xavier 4, DePaul 3
April 4, 2026
XS Tennis VIllage - Chicago, Ill.

Doubles
1. Abby Nugent/Clara Owen (XAV) def. Clara Nilsson/Hannah Smith (DPU) 6-1
2. Eleanor Cochran/Sasha Stula (DPU) def. Ella DeFord/Madeleine Rexroat (XAV) 6-1
3. Helin Alvarez/Roberta Sechi (DPU) def. Emily Flowers/Natalie Smitek (XAV) 6-3

Singles
1. Abby Nugent (XAV) def. Sasha Stula (DPU) 6-3, 6-2
2. No. 121 Madeleine Rexroat (XAV) def. Hannah Smith (DPU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
3. Emily Flowers (XAV) def. Yasemin Pehlivan (DPU) 7-6(4), 6-2
4. Ella DeFord (XAV) def. Roberta Sechi (DPU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Clara Nilsson (DPU) def. Natalie Smitek (XAV) 6-2, 6-3
6. Helin Alvarez (DPU) def. Abigail Siminski (XAV) 6-3, 6-2

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

UP NEXT
Women's tennis faces Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., to close out the 2026 season. The match is on April 12, at 11 a.m. CT.