NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State women's basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie has announced the addition of former Mercyhurst guard Jenna Van Schaik (Cincinnati, Ohio) for the 2026-27 campaign.
"Jenna is a proven winner and leader who will make an immediate impact on our program," Gillespie said. "As a first team all-conference player, she brings a high level of experience, toughness and confidence to our backcourt. She gives us even more depth and versatility, and we are excited about everything she will bring to our team on and off the court.
Van Schaik comes to Illinois State from Mercyhurst, where she started in all 31 games and averaged career-highs in points per game (13.9), assists per game (3.4), and steals per game (1.4) as a senior during the 2025-26 season. She led the team in scoring, assists, and blocked shots, while shooting .346 from three-point range and grabbing 3.1 rebounds per contest to earn All-NEC First Team honors. Scored a career-high 29 points at Wagner, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 14-for-17 at the line during the contest and earned a spot on the NEC All-Tournament Team at the end of the season.
As a junior during the 2024-25 season, Van Schaik appeared in 26 games and averaged 13.6 points per game, 3.0 assists per game, and 3.7 rebounds per contest for Mercyhurst. She dished a season-high seven assists at Toledo, scored a season-high 28 points vs. FDU (8-of-13 from the field, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers and 9-of-9 at the line), and grabbed a season-high 13 rebounds at LIU. Van Schaik also played 45 combined games for the Lakers in her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Prior to enrolling at Mercyhurst, Van Schaik earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior and senior at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati. An Ohio District 16 First Team selection and All-Southwest District honorable mention pick, she was just the third player in school history to score over 1,000 points during her prep career.
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