Chambana Sun

Fighting Illini junior McKenna Schaefbauer has been named to the 2025 Big Ten Women's Tennis Players to Watch List, as announced by the league on Monday. Schaefbauer, from Normal, Illinois, is preparing for her second dual season with the Orange and Blue team. She is among 18 athletes who have been recognized on this list.

Schaefbauer's sophomore year was marked by a successful performance with a 17-10 overall singles record and an 18-16 mark in doubles matches. Throughout 2024, she played in all six singles slots and all three doubles courts for the Illini.

Her first clinch victory as an Illini occurred during the Big Ten Tournament against Rutgers on April 25, 2024. She held a 1-1 record against nationally ranked singles opponents, including a notable win over No. 88 Justine Leong of Northwestern in a match that ended with scores of 2-6, 6-1, and 7-6 (5) on March 30, 2024.

In the past fall season, Schaefbauer achieved a record of seven wins and five losses in singles matches. Her victories included wins over several ranked players: No. 50 Sydni Ratliff from Ohio State at Midwest Regionals; No. 96 Vivian Ovroosky from Texas at the ITA Sectional Championships; and No.125 Gayathri Krishnan from Columbia at the Notre Dame Invite.

Following her performances in the fall season, Schaefbauer entered the ITA singles rankings at No.109 as of December 3, 2024.