CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Four Fighting Illini women's tennis players were recognized by the league office with All-Big Ten honors on Wednesday. Megan Heuser and McKenna Schaefbauer earned Second Team All-Big Ten accolades, Ariel Madatali was named to the All-Freshman Team, and Kasia Treiber was acknowledged as a Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Schaefbauer, a junior playing in the No. 1 singles slot all season, earns the first all-conference recognition of her career with the 2025 honor. The Normal, Ill., native won her last two decisions of the regular season and entered the postseason with a 14-15 overall record on the singles courts. Along the way, Schaefbauer racked up a team-best five nationally ranked victories. On the doubles courts, Schaefbauer closed the regular season with a 17-12 overall record that included a 16-6 reading in dual matches, and a 10-2 mark in Big Ten play.
Heuser, a senior playing in the No. 2 singles slot and No. 1 doubles slot all season, earns the second All-Big Ten honor of her career in as many years. The Lindenhurst, Ill., native won her last two decisions of the regular season and entered the postseason with a 14-11 overall record on the singles courts. Heuser owns an 11-7 record in dual matches and a 7-3 effort in Big Ten singles play. On the doubles courts, Heuser posted a 15-16 overall record including nine dual victories, and six wins in Big Ten action. She also owns a team-best five nationally ranked victories, teaming up with Kida Ferrari and Alice Xu. Heuser has been part of a ranked doubles duo with both teammates.
Madatali, a rookie out of St. Louis, Mo., saw action at No. 3, 4, and 5 singles as well as No. 3 doubles for the Orange and Blue. She is Illinois' first selection to the Big Ten's All-Freshman Team in its inaugural season. Through the regular season, Madatali leads the team in singles wins, owning a 17-8 overall record that includes a 9-3 reading in dual matches, and a 5-1 showing in Big Ten outings. She enters the postseason winning her last three decisions and picked up a nationally ranked victory during the fall. On the doubles courts, Madatali went 5-7 overall, which included a 2-0 reading in dual matches.
Treiber, a senior that played in the No. 4, 5, and 6 singles slots as well as the No. 2 and 3 doubles spots, was recognized as a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree of the second time of her career. The Hinsdale, Ill., native enters postseason play winning her last three decisions on the singles courts. Treiber posted a 12-14 overall singles record, which included a 9-8 reading in duals, and a 6-4 mark in Big Ten play. On the doubles courts, she has posted a 17-15 overall record while working with three different teammates. Treiber has tallied a 16-6 record in dual matches and 10-2 mark in Big Ten contests, all working with Schaefbauer.
With the expansion of the Big Ten Conference ahead of the 2024-25 season, the league adjusted its all-conference honors to two 12-person teams and added a 10-player All-Freshman Team.
