Sioux Center, Iowa — Dordt University has announced Darci Wassenaar will serve as Dordt’s next women’s volleyball coach.
Wassenaar has coached and taught at Sioux Falls Christian High School since graduating from Dordt in 2002. She has compiled a 579-109 volleyball coaching record in 20 seasons and has led the Chargers to 11 of the last 15 state championships in their class including the last five beginning in 2017.
“I am thrilled that Darci will be our next women’s volleyball coach,” said Dordt director of athletics Ross Douma. “Coach Wassenaar’s sustained success at Sioux Falls Christian along with her ability to relate to and lead her players made her a great candidate for this position. Her comprehensive approach to leading a volleyball program will benefit the athletes she leads as they grow in their faith, academics, and athletics. The relationships she fosters with her players and maintains when they are no longer players within her program speaks to her abilities beyond wins and losses.”
Wassenaar has claimed several awards during her coaching career including the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association Regional Coach of the Year (2018); South Dakota Sportswriters Association Prep Coach of the Year (2018; South Dakota Region Coach of the Year (2003, 2007, 2011, 2018, 2019, 2020); South Dakota High School Coaches’ Association Volleyball Coach of the Year (2014-2015) and the National Christian School Athletics Association Volleyball Co-National Coach of the Year (2010-11).
“I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to be the next women’s volleyball coach at Dordt University. Dordt volleyball has a rich tradition, and I am excited to be a part of it. I am extremely thankful for my years at Sioux Falls Christian and the amazing relationships I have built there. I look forward to this next chapter and being used by God at Dordt,” said Wassenaar. “I look forward to using the volleyball program to help develop Christian women who desire Christ above all things, seek to glorify God through the pursuit of playing volleyball at the highest level possible, and strive in every aspect of their lives to live in accordance with God’s Word.”
Wassenaar has also served as the AAU Volleyball director and coach for the Sioux Falls Gold and has taught physical education and bible classes at Sioux Falls Christian. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dordt University with a major in physical education and a minor in Bible. Wassenaar was a part of three NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) National Championship qualifying teams that all advanced to the quarterfinal round of the event. She was a two-time GPAC (Great Plains Athletic Conference) Player of the Year in 2000 and 2001 and was named a NAIA second-team all-American both of those seasons.
The Dordt women’s volleyball program has qualified for the NAIA National Championship 17 times including six of the last seven events. The 2021 Defenders finished the season 19-10 and advanced to the NAIA National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa.
