“THWACK!” 

The ball hits the high middle third of the racket’s stringbed, just like they practiced.

It flies through the air and bounces down once, deep, to the back of the court. Then another, “THWACK!” as the doubles partners on the other side volley it back across the net. 

For spring, it’s a hot day. Chicago’s weather has never been consistent — it’s temperamental, turbulent and at times, destructive. But, in spite of rain, sleet, snow or sun, the DePaul women’s tennis team continues to practice. And practice. And practice. 

The 2025 season was one of ups and downs, DePaul athletics communications assistant Collin Feaster said. The women’s tennis ended their season with a 10-11 record. DePaul’s season closed at the 2025 Big East Tennis Championship with a quarterfinal 4-3 defeat against Villanova. 

“It’s never easy to lose, but it was a great learning experience,” Feaster said. “The coaches put it into perspective well when they reminded the players that, ‘There’s only one team that wins it all.’ …  That’s one out of hundreds if not thousands of teams.” 

Post-championship training for the next season was quick to begin. Head women’s tennis coach Marisa Arce said that the approach to next year is to continue to build on habits from 2025. 

“It’s about showing up every day with a good attitude, being detail-oriented and always looking to grow as individuals and as a group,” Arce said. “These girls are all so hungry and eager to improve as both tennis players and teammates and I really can’t ask for anything more. I can’t wait to see all that they achieve.” 

Out of the eight members currently playing for DePaul, five are underclassmen. Sophomore Sasha Stula said time was needed to adjust to the routine of practices, weights and conditioning. 

Before coming to DePaul, Stula said she was the kind of person who would play and travel individually. Last year, she had to adapt to how things were done on the team. It was a process but that helped her improve her game and gave her tools needed to assist the 2025 freshmen. 

“I was nervous because I was the only freshman (in 2024), and it was my first time coming to the United States — new culture, new people, new environment,” Stula said. “I’ve never felt more welcomed. The team helped me in every way possible.”

In addition to their technical skills, Stula and her teammates focus on cheering for each other and staying positive. The biggest strength they have, Stula said, is keeping the energy up. 

“I’ve never seen or heard of a team with higher energy and a more positive environment,” Stula said. “I want the newcomers to feel welcomed, have fun and enjoy every moment.” 

Junior Hannah “Muff” Smith, a solo rising senior on the 2026 roster, felt the doubles matches of 2025 were particularly strong. The team hardly lost a doubles point, and a personal highlight for Smith was ranking almost the entire season with partner, Eva Goncharov. 

“It was a great achievement, holding a ranking isn’t something that is easy to do,” Smith said. “But I think it started from previous years. … I wouldn’t have been able to get in that ranking position without my first two years. That experience ultimately paved the way for me.” 

According to Smith, the variety of levels across Big East teams made this year exciting to play. There was not a great disparity in skill level or a clear MVP; everyone had a fighting chance. 

“You can train as hard as you want and you can be the best players you can be, but not every match was guaranteed,” Smith said.

As the season officially came to a close, Stula and Smith both received All-Big East Honors in early May. Smith earned placement on the All-Big East First Team for a second consecutive year. Stula earned a spot on Second Team selection. 

“At the end of the season, … it is long, it is hard, but you use each other as a team to get through those moments,” Smith said. “You’re balancing life. You’re balancing school. You’re balancing tennis — you got all this outside stuff. 

Smith continued, describing the team as a “second family.”

“We can never get enough of each other,” Smith said. “That is something we can use to help propel ourselves on the court.” 

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