After a freshman year at another institution, the Iowa native wasn't searching for more playing time or a different role on the field. What she wanted ran deeper than softball. She was looking for a place where her faith could be part of her daily experience, not something separate from it.

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"I was just looking for more of a place that I could show my faith and have more of a faith background," Whipple said. "Dordt kind of showed me, especially with Coach Zomer, that faith can be implemented within sports and that's kind of what I was looking for."

That clarity didn't make the decision easy. Transferring meant leaving behind relationships she had built during her first year of college. It meant starting over in a new place with new teammates, new expectations, and a new environment.

"It was challenging," she said. "But ultimately I felt like God was leading me here. It's a blessing that I listened just because of the relationships I've built and the future that I have here."

Three years later, that decision has shaped nearly every part of her Dordt experience.

When Whipple first visited campus, it wasn't a packed student body or game-day atmosphere that stood out. It was something quieter but just as meaningful.

"The campus gives off more of a community feel," she said. "Even coming in the summer, you could tell how close everything is and how close people are. The administration and everyone here just made me feel very welcome."

That sense of belonging matched what she was seeking spiritually, and it helped solidify her decision.

On the field, Whipple has been a steady presence as a middle infielder, most often at second base. While some might see softball as slow-paced, she sees constant calculation and awareness.

With a runner on first and a left-handed hitter at the plate, her mind is already moving.

"I'm thinking I'm covering second on a steal," she said. "I'm reading the pitch call, seeing where I need to position myself, whether it's up the middle or getting ready for a pulled ball. There's always something going on."

That attention to detail mirrors the intentionality she was seeking when she transferred. It shows up not only in how she plays, but in how she approaches team culture.

Whipple points to relationships, not results, as the foundation of Dordt's program.

"There's always the big goal of working toward nationals," she said. "But we also have concrete goals that aren't based on outcomes. Staying connected, building relationships, staying Christ-centered."

Those priorities are reinforced through leadership groups, team activities, and a shared understanding of purpose. For Whipple, that emphasis comes naturally.

"I'm very big on encouraging and building relationships," she said. "Those are things that last after softball."

Her faith has grown alongside those relationships. When she arrived at Dordt, confidence and outward expression of that faith were still developing. Over time, both have taken root.

"I've changed a lot confidence-wise, on and off the field," she said. "Coach Zomer believing in me gave me a boost when I didn't have a ton of that coming in."

That growth has extended into leadership.

"I've become more outspoken about my faith," she said. "Leading the team in prayer, reminding them we're playing for an audience of one and that no matter the outcome, we're here to glorify God."

Off the field, Whipple's path has evolved as well. Originally a business administration major, she transitioned into sports management once the program became available, a natural fit for someone who grew up immersed in athletics with three older brothers.

That passion will carry into her next chapter. After graduation, she will remain at Dordt as a graduate assistant with the softball program, working alongside the same coaches who helped shape her experience.

"I think I can bring experience," she said. "Knowing how the program works, the ins and outs, and being able to lead by example."

Her journey hasn't been without challenges. Being away from home has required adjustment, especially during difficult moments. But those challenges have also reinforced the importance of the relationships she has built in Sioux Center.

"Staying in contact with my family is big," she said. "But also relying on the relationships I have here."

Those relationships now include her fiancé, whom she met at Dordt. The two will be married this July.

Looking back, the reasons Whipple came to Dordt have not only been fulfilled, they have expanded. What began as a search for faith integration has grown into confidence, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose.