Before McKenna DeMarce ever wore a Minnesota State uniform, tennis was already a defining part of her life. "I first got into my sport when I was around 10 years old, so I've been playing for 12 years," she said. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, DeMarce split her time between soccer and tennis before choosing the latter, drawn to the unique blend of individual competition and team camaraderie.

Her favorite memories trace back to club tennis, where she spent countless hours with teammates who became some of her closest friends. "My favorite memory from tennis when I was younger was all the memories I made with my club tennis team," she said. Traveling to tournaments in St. George, Utah, several times a year offered the perfect mix of competition and connection. "These tournaments were so fun because you just had a lot of time to hang out and play tennis."
 
Choosing the Tennis Path
DeMarce's childhood was shaped by constant activity. With an older brother who played baseball and a family that prioritized athletics, she learned early how to balance a packed schedule. "I was playing tennis six or seven days a week, on top of school, on top of hanging out with friends, on top of student council," she said. The demands taught her how to prioritize and manage her time, lessons that would later ease her transition to college life.
The biggest decision came when she had to pick between soccer and tennis. "It was pretty hard for me to choose between soccer and tennis but I did end up choosing tennis," she said. The individual nature of tennis, paired with the team atmosphere during practices and doubles matches, won her over. A supportive coach and tight-knit teammates sealed the choice, setting her on a path toward collegiate athletics.
 
The Road to Minnesota State
DeMarce began her recruiting process during her sophomore and junior years of high school. "I worked with an agency to help reach out to schools," she said. "I sent my video to a handful of schools all across the country." Originally from Las Vegas, she wanted to experience life outside the West Coast. When the Minnesota State coaching staff saw her highlight reel—serves, returns, groundstrokes, volleys, overheads, and points—they reached out.
 
After several conversations over the phone and on Zoom, DeMarce visited campus during the spring of her junior year, right in the midst of COVID-19. The visit solidified her decision. She verbally committed that summer and signed officially in November of her senior year, excited to join a program that matched her competitive drive.
 
Adjusting to College Life
The transition from high school to college came with its challenges, particularly being far from home and adjusting to a smaller town. "I was pretty homesick the first semester, just being so far from home and a different pace of life," she said. Still, the workload didn't overwhelm her. Years of balancing club tennis, high school tennis, other high school sports, and student council had prepared her well. "My time management was pretty good," she said, noting that the biggest adjustment was simply learning to handle everything on her own.
On the court, DeMarce quickly found her place within the team. One of her favorite memories came during her junior year in the conference finals against Augustana, a perennial powerhouse. She and her doubles partner, Elizabeth Felderman, were locked in a tight match to decide the doubles point. "We were up 5-3 and Elizabeth was serving for match point and she aced our opponents," DeMarce said. "We all were just screaming and so excited." Taking a point off a nationally ranked team was a moment she'll never forget.
 
Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Four years of college tennis have shaped DeMarce in ways that go beyond the scoreboard. "I think the biggest lesson that I learned from my experience was to only worry about the controllables in life," she said. Whether it was late-night practices from 9 to 11 p.m. or unexpected challenges, she learned to embrace what she could control and let go of the rest. "I can't control it, so I may as well make the best out of the situation that's handed to me."
As graduation approaches, DeMarce is already preparing for her next chapter. She plans to attend graduate school to earn a master's degree in speech-language pathology, with hopes of working in pediatric speech therapy. Whether she stays in Mankato or returns to Las Vegas, tennis will remain a lifelong passion. "I hope to just keep playing as long as I can, maybe dip my toe in some pickleball, too, as that's growing," she said.
 
From her early days in club tennis to her standout moments at Minnesota State, DeMarce's story is defined by resilience, balance, and a genuine love for the game—qualities that will serve her well long after her final collegiate match.
DeMarce and the Mavericks open the spring portion of their schedule officially Feb. 14 against Minnesota Crookston.