The Dordt University women's volleyball team opened its 2025 season in Fullerton, California, returning home with three wins and a clear sense of direction under head coach Jacki Smith.

Defender Discussions With Jacki Smith

With just a condensed week of preseason practice before hopping on a plane, Smith said preparation had to be intentional from day one. "You can't finalize everything in seven days, but you have to arrive with a plan," she noted. "We knew who our experienced returners were, we had an idea which freshmen would step in right away, and we committed to running a 6-2."

The Defenders showed impressive balance in their first four matches, posting strong hitting percentages without relying on any single dominant attacker. "Every match had different players stepping up," Smith said. "That kind of depth makes us tough to defend."

Tarren Spartz, Haley Kuperus, Ellie Dokter and Myra Carlson all provided consistent offense for the Defenders with between 2.9 and 1.4 kills per set and Carlee Jackson put up 4.4 assists per set in Dordt's first weekend of action. Kuperus took the lead in defense at the net with 1.1 blocks per set and Kylie Beckering stepped into the libero role with 3.3 digs per set.

Freshman setter Chloe Heisman (Pella Christian) earned praise for her composure and versatility, while first-year outside hitter Laney Wolfswinkel (Cherokee, Iowa) emerged as a surprise contributor. "Laney's a baller—she can pass, defend, and attack with range," Smith said. "Her confidence grew with every set."

Serving also stood out as a key weapon. Dordt tallied 40 aces in the opening weekend, the result of an offseason emphasis on aggressive serving. "We want to keep teams off balance," Smith explained. "We're willing to live with some errors if it means earning points directly from the service line."

The lone blemish came in a five-set loss to Northwest, where Dordt let a two-set lead slip away. Smith sees it as a valuable early-season lesson. "We had chances to finish sets and didn't execute," she said. "Those moments teach you how to close out matches when the pressure's on."

Looking ahead to this week's tournament in Oskaloosa, the Defenders will focus on situational execution and scoring late in sets. "We're working on finishing strong in the red zone—points 19 through 25," Smith said.

Dordt has two home matches in September, but Smith is embracing the road-heavy schedule. "Wherever we go, we want to make it feel like home," she said. "We're excited to see Defender fans in October, but for now it's about growing together on the road."