Heimes will continue her volleyball career at Dordt University

HARTINGTON — First, she helped guide her Lady Trojans to a fourth consecutive state volleyball finals tournament and now it’s time for Megan Heimes to make a future for herself.

The senior libero for the Cedar Catholic program made it official when she signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa and be a part of the school’s volleyball program.

She hadn’t thought much about the program until word from former players trickled down and got her attention.

“It’s always been my goal to play college volleyball,” Heimes said. “Since last year I have been putting together a highlight reel and sent some film to coaches. The coach invited me on to campus for a camp and I got to play volleyball there and see how he coaches and see the campus. It was really great.

She visited other schools in the meantime, but Dordt always stuck out.

“It’s homey and a community where I felt welcome. I love the atmosphere. The coach is very personable and cares about volleyball and you personally,” she said.

Heimes committed on Nov. 5 and will study elementary education.

Briar Cliff, Morningside, Hastings, and Northwestern (Iowa) were mostly in the running for Heimes’ services.

“Their education program is really good so that was another factor,” she said.

Dordt – an NAIA school - and coach Chad Hanson went 12-5 this season.

“It’s been so amazing: I am so blessed,” Heimes said. “With everything that happened with the quarantine and then in the summer, having no club volleyball – I really wanted that experience. I worked one-on-one with my coach and it gave me time to figure out the colleges I wanted to visit.” Cedar Catholic head coach

Cedar Catholic head coach Denae Buss has known Heimes since she was in seventh grade and played for her middle school team.

“She has always had the passion for volleyball since day one,” Buss said. “She is a spark on the court and gives it her all every time. I am so proud of her for being able to go on to play in college. Megan has spent endless hours in the gym, after practices, throughout the summer, working on her skills, and helping others with theirs. “She is a team leader when it comes to dedication.”

Buss knows what helped make Heimes a future collegian.

“She just loves this sport so much and has spent so much time trying to perfect her skills, it is rewarding to see her move onto the next level,” Buss said. “We want to wish her the best in college. Dordt is getting a very hard worker that will help lead their program.”

Heimes focused on a program that would work with the players and help them improve as athletes in their sport and she will be able to do that with Dordt which is only about a 90-minute drive from Hartington.

Heimes was recruited to play the libero position at Dordt, the same as she did at Cedar Catholic.

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