(Friday, March 7; Sioux Center, Iowa) Nikki McSpadden, a senior at Lutheran High School (Colorado), has announced her intention to attend Dordt University and join the Defender basketball program.  

McSpadden is a 5-7 guard who averaged 9.5 points per game with 2.4 steals and 1.7 assists per contest. She was an all-state honorable mention selection in 2023 and earned all-conference honors in both 2022 and 2023. McSpadden is a three-time academic all-state honoree and she was a part of a state runner-up team in 2021 and a state semifinalist team in 2023.  

"I chose Dordt University because of the feeling of community I found when I first visitied as well as the academic and athletic programs I will get the opportunity to be a part of. Coach Harmsen was personable with me and my parents throughout the entire process which was a very big deciding factor," said McSpadden.  

Nikki is the daughter of Beth and Bob McSpadden. She plans to enter the pre-med program. 

"We are so excited to welcome Nikki to Dordt University.  Nikki has had a great high school career at Lutheran High but injured her knee last summer.  She has had to sit out this season but is rehabbing and will soon return to action.  Nikki is an amazing individual and we can't wait to watch God's plans for her unfold at Dordt University." 

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.