CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini junior McKenna Schaefbauer has been named to the 2025 Big Ten Women's Tennis Players to Watch List, the league announced on Monday. The Normal, Illinois, native is headed into her second dual season with the Orange and Blue. Schaefbauer is one of 18 athletes named to the Players to Watch List.
Schaefbauer is coming off of a successful sophomore campaign that featured a 17-10 overall singles record and an 18-16 overall mark on the doubles courts. The transfer appeared at all six singles slots and all three doubles courts for the Illini in 2024.
The junior's first clinch as an Illini came in the Big Ten Tournament against Rutgers (4/25/24). Schaefbauer owned a 1-1 record against nationally ranked singles opposition, with her ranked win coming against No. 88 Justine Leong of Northwestern in a 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5) decision (3/30/24).
This past fall, Schaefbauer posted a 7-5 record on the singles courts, which included three ranked victories. She earned wins over No. 50-ranked Sydni Ratliff (Ohio State) at Midwest Regionals, No. 96 Vivian Ovroosky (Texas) at the ITA Sectional Championships, and No. 125 Gayathri Krishnan (Columbia) at the Notre Dame Invite.
Schaefbauer entered the ITA singles rankings following the fall season, coming in at No. 109 (12/3/24).
