Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
DePaul (BIG EAST Championship)
Women's Tennis Wins Sixth-Straight BIG EAST Title, Earns NCAA Championship Bid
04.19.26 | Women's Tennis
Musketeers earn seventh league title and bid to NCAA Championships in program history
Xavier's six-consecutive crowns matches the BIG EAST record set by Notre Dame (2008-13). The title is Xavier's seventh BIG EAST Championship overall, winning the league tournament in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2016. The Musketeers, the No. 1 seed in the league tournament, moved to 16-8 overall with the win.
The Musketeers earned the conference's automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Women's Tennis Championship and will learn their draw during the NCAA Selection show on Monday, April 27 at 4:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
Following the tournament, senior Abby Nugent was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after contributing three straight-set victories at No. 1 singles, including the Championship-clincher, and a trio of doubles victories on the No. 1 doubles court Clara Owen.
In doubles play, Emily Flowers and Natalie Smitek combined for a 6-1 win on the No. 1 doubles court, and Abby Nugent and Clara Owen took a 6-3 decision on the No. 1 court to clinch the point for the 1-0 lead.
Ella DeFord contributed the afternoon's first singles win, taking court No. 4, 6-0, 6-3. DePaul answered on the fifth court behind a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Clara Owen.
Madeleine Rexroat made it 3-1 Xavier lead on No. 2 singles, winning in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
Abby Nugent clinched the match on the top court, fending off Sasha Stula for the 6-4, 7-5 win, setting the final score at 4-1.
Singles competition
1. Abby Nugent (XAV) def. Sasha Stula (DEP) 6-4, 7-5
2. Madeleine Rexroat (XAV) def. Hannah Smith (DEP) 6-3, 6-3
3. Emily Flowers (XAV) vs. Yasemin Pehlivan (DEP) 2-6, 4-5, unfinished
4. Ella DeFord (XAV) def. Roberta Sechi (DEP) 6-0, 6-3
5. Clara Nilsson (DEP) def. Clara Owen (XAV) 7-5, 6-2
6. Natalie Smitek (XAV) vs. Helin Alvarez (DEP) 6-2, 3-6, 3-0, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Abby Nugent/Clara Owen (XAV) def. Hannah Smith/Clara Nilsson (DEP) 6-3
2. Madeleine Rexroat/Ella DeFord (XAV) def. Eleanor Cochran/Sasha Stula (DEP) 6-1
3. Emily Flowers/Natalie Smitek (XAV) vs. Helin Alvarez/Roberta Sechi (DEP) 4-6, unfinished
Match Notes:
DePaul 12-11
Xavier Women's Tennis 16-8
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (4,5,2,1)
Abby Nugent clinches the @BIGEAST title on No. 1 singles! pic.twitter.com/CVGn5atp0t
— XU Women's Tennis (@XavierWTEN) April 19, 2026
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
2,1
#1 Singles Match
#2 Singles Match
#3 Singles Match
#4 Singles Match
#5 Singles Match
#6 Singles Match
Order of Finish:
5,4,2,1
Players Mentioned
