DePaul And St. John's Prepare For Key Weekend Matches

DePaul University's women's tennis team is gearing up for an exciting weekend of competition as they host St. John's and the University of South Florida (USF) at home. The matches kick off on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. against St. John's, followed by a matchup against USF on Saturday, March 22, with first serve scheduled for 1:30 p.m. This penultimate weekend of home competition sees the Blue Demons seeking to extend their current five-match winning streak and maintain an impeccable home record against BIG EAST opponents.

The momentum is on DePaul's side as they last played on March 7-8, earning resounding victories with a pair of 7-0 sweeps over Marquette and Butler. Throughout this impressive run, the team has been exceptional in doubles play, with their No. 54-ranked duo of Hannah Smith and Eva Goncharov leading the charge. Having a strong resume, they boast a 9-2 record on court one this season and have won eight matches in a row, earning four BIG EAST Doubles Team of the Week honors.

In singles action, sophomore Sasha Stula has also made a name for herself, holding a 9-2 record in 2025 and currently riding a six-match winning streak. Her performance will be critical as she faces off against St. John's and USF.

On the other side of the court, St. John's comes into the match with a 9-4 overall record after a strong recent showing, winning their last two matches decisively against Seton Hall and Hofstra over the weekend. Their freshman standout, Giulia Bizzarri, remains undefeated in singles play this spring, showcasing her potential as a rising talent in collegiate tennis. The Red Storm, under the guidance of head coach Lauren Leo, will be looking to upset DePaul's plans.

Meanwhile, USF arrives at the weekend with a record of 5-12 and will need to overcome their current three-match losing streak. After facing tough competition and falling to ranked opponents Florida Atlantic and Wichita State recently, they look to senior Melisa Senli, currently 7-3 at No. 1 singles, to lead by example against DePaul. Both SIDs, the head coaches of DePaul and USF, Cristina Moros, in her tenth season, will understand the stakes of these matches as the season draws nearer to its conclusion.

As for St. John's softball team, they are also making headlines as they prepare for a three-game set against Butler this weekend in Indianapolis. The Red Storm heads into the series with a record of 21-8-1 and is on a seven-game winning streak after a recent victory against Manhattan where they won 13-5. This follows a strong start in the BIG EAST conference where they swept Georgetown in their opening three-game series.

The St. John's pitching staff is particularly noteworthy, leading the country with an average of 9.63 strikeouts per seven innings, thanks to the impressive performances of juniors Ana Serafinko and Loreley Francia, who have collectively racked up 245 strikeouts in 2025. Last Wednesday, Serafinko secured her ninth win of the season against Manhattan, demonstrating her prowess with eight strikeouts in just 3.2 innings, earning her place on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the second consecutive week.

Francia, equally formidable on the mound, holds an 11-3 record with a 1.49 earned run average (ERA) and has struck out 113 batters. Both pitchers are essential to St. John's continued success as they take on Butler, who boasts a commendable 16-8 overall record and a powerful batting lineup with multiple players hitting above .300.

Leading the Bulldogs is Cate Lehner, batting .422, while Makena Alexander contributes significantly, with seven home runs and 25 RBIs. The series opener against Butler will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 21. The second game will occur on Saturday, March 22, at 1 p.m., and the finale is set for Sunday, March 23, at noon. Following the weekend series, St. John's will return home for a four-game homestand, beginning with a midweek matchup against Fordham.

With both the women's tennis and softball teams navigating crucial weekends ahead, the excitement around DePaul and St. John's athletics continues to build. Fans can follow these matches through live streams and live stats, ensuring they're part of the action from the comfort of their homes.

For up-to-the-minute updates, fans are encouraged to visit their respective athletics websites. Both DePaul and St. John's have showcased their competitive spirit throughout their seasons and aim for a successful finish as they head toward the championship stretch.