(Friday, January 12; Sioux Center, Iowa)  Desta Hoogendoorn, a senior at Central Lyon High School (Iowa), has announced her intention to attend Dordt University and join the Defender basketball program.  

"We are excited to welcome Desta and her family to Dordt University.  Desta has had a record-setting high school career directed by her coach Heather Grafing.  Desta has a high ceiling to improve as she has shown this throughout her career.  What makes Desta truly special is her love for her teammates, her character, and relationship with Christ.  We are looking forward to serving Desta as she continues to realize God's plan for her life at Dordt University," said Dordt basketball coach Bill Harmsen.  

Hoogendoorn is a 6-0 post player averaging 19.5 points per game with 8.7 rebounds per outing.  She has over 1,000 career points with 500 career rebounds and is Central Lyon's career leader in rebounds and blocks and she has the single-game record of 21 rebounds. She's a two-time all-district selection and has earned first-team all-state honors from the IGCA and the IPSWA.  WA.  She's been on the last two all-state tournament teams at the Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament and an All-Siouxland Conference performer.  

"I chose to attend Dordt University because of the family like atmosphere. I knew I would be able to grow academically, athletically and spiritually. Dordt has a great women's basketball program and I know being part of this program I'll be valued not only as a player but also as a person and will be part of something greater than myself," said Hoogendoorn.  

Desta is the daughter of Chad and Teresa Hoogendoorn of Rock Rapids, Iowa.  

Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive Christian college rooted in the Reformed tradition. The Defender athletic program is a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA).    

U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review all list Dordt on their best colleges lists. Dordt is home to approximately 1,500 students.