Kathryn Bekkering--Is a transfer student from Lethbridge Community College. Will provide more depth in the post.

Coach Bouma says: Kathryn has a couple of years of junior college ball under her belt. In the pre-season she has been a pleasant surprise. She's got good solid footwork and can use both hands around the basket.

Katie Bleeker--Co-Captain. Will end her career among the Dordt College career leaders in points, rebounds, steals and assists. Has played in 81 games and started 79 for the Defenders in three years. Has averaged 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.6 assists over her career. Has earned All-Conference honorable mention three times.

Coach Bouma says: Katie is a great all-around player. She can play a wide variety of positions for us--she's best known for her passing, we will need her to step up as a scorer this year.

Nicki De Blaey--Averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 assists per game as a sophomore in 26 games. Scored 4.8 points per game as a freshman in 23 games.

Coach Bouma says: Nicki can play both point guard and off-guard. Nicki is a feisty competitor and a great penetrator who doesn't make many mistakes. Her soccer skills carry over to make her a tough defender in basketball.

Tara De Boer--Tara averaged 7.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 21 games. Tara put in 4.2 points and grabbed 2.0 rebounds per game as a freshman in 22 games when she made 41 percent of her shots.

Coach Bouma says: Tara is a tremendously athletic young lady who keeps getting better. She can play on the perimeter and the inside. Her jump shot continues to get better and she has a quick first step.

Amanda Eekhoff--Averaged 20 points and 13 rebounds per game as a high school senior at Western Christian while earning all-conference, all-district and all-state honors.

Coach Bouma says: Amanda is a freshman who will make an immediate impact for us. She has good hands and is strong and quick for being 6'3". She'll finish around the basket and can rebound and block shots.

Shawna Flikkema--Started six games and appeared in 25 for the Lady Defenders as a sophomore. Was slowed by an ankle injury much of the year. Averaged 4.8 points per game last year after averaging 6.7 points per game as a freshman.

Coach Bouma says: Shawna has improved during the off-season and we expect good things to happen with her quickness and speed. She's developed a good quick pull up jumper.

Chelsea Gerdes--appeared in 22 games after joining the team when the volleyball season was over in 2003. Averaged 2.6 points per game.

Coach Bouma says: Chelsea is a steady performer who gives us everything she has. She's a good defender who has the ability to play a variety of positions from guard to post.

Jill Haan--Earned all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore as she averged 8.2 points and 4.5 rebodns per game. As a freshman she made 47 percent of her shots from the floor ad averaged 8.5 points per game in 22 games.

Coach Bouma says: Jill is coming back from a late season knee injury. She can go to the basket and is a strong rebounder for her size. Jill has the ability to be a tenacious defender.

Kara Karlsgodt--Averaged 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.1 assists per game as a senior at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City high school. Ended her career as the leading scorer at the school with 1183 career points.

Angie Katsma--Has been a steadying force for the Lady Defenders for three years. Has appeared in 70 games for the Lady Defenders in the past three years. Averaged 3.4 points per game as a junior with 3 rebounds per game. Averaged 4.8 points per game as a sophomore and 7.2 points per game as a freshman along with 4 rebounds per game.

Coach Bouma says: Angie is a post player who can hit the three point shot. She's a good physical player who brings a wealth of experience to the team.

Christa Kuipers--Appeared in 11 games last season and averaged 1.7 points per game.

Coach Bouma says: Christa is an excellent midrange shooter. She brings a great positive attitude and is a great teammate.

Leslie Larson--Co-Captain. Averaged 2.2 points per game in 20 games last season while grabbing 2.8 rebounds per rebound.

Coach Bouma says: Leslie is a steady performer who is a very good rebounder. She has a great personality for our team--filling the role we ask of her.

Jill Leep--Played in 15 games for the Lady Defenders as a freshman. Scored 10 points and grabbed 20 rebounds.

Coach Bouma says: Jill could be our team's best returning three point shooter. She'll be used as a three point shooting threat.

Rachel Van Beek--Played in 21 games and started 17 as a sophomore when she averaged 8.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Made 48 percent of her shots from the floor in her second year. Started 17 games as a freshman when she averaged 6.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Coach Bouma says: Rachel's a physical player who is an outstanding rebounder, especially on the offensive boards. She's relentless and strong and will take it at people.

Merribeth Van Engen--Returns to organized basketball after a year off. Good offensive player.

Coach Bouma says: Merribeth is very solid. She has a knack for getting shots off and will help us in the early going.

Lindsey Van Wyk--Appeared in 20 games as a freshman where she averaged 3.4 points and grabbed 1.9 rebounds per game.

Coach Bouma says: Lindsey has a shooter's mentality which we need more of. She's got a nice jumpshot and can go inside if we need it.

Glenn Bouma--Enters his fourth year as head coach of the Lady Defenders. Bouma served as head boys basketball coach at Unity Christian High School in Orange City for numerous years, coaching the Knights to Iowa State Championships in 1986 and 1994. Bouma has also been inducted into the Iowa High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and has over 300 career basketball coaching victories. He also is the Dordt College Recreation Center Director.