Junior Kaia Waldrop recently committed to Grand Valley State University in Michigan to further pursue her basketball and softball career.

“My goal for my commitment was to have the feeling of home,” said Waldrop. 

Waldrop claims that GVSU’s staff did everything they could to make the university feel like a “home away from home,” which met her goal wholeheartedly. 

Waldrop is a tri-sport athlete playing volleyball, softball, and basketball. She has played varsity for all three sports since her freshman year at NDA.

Waldrop’s high school sports accomplishments include two basketball state championships, a second-team all-conference recognition for the 2023-24 basketball season and a second-team all-conference recognition for the 2023-24 softball season.

For basketball Waldrop plays the center position whose main goal is to get points near the basket and acquire rebounds. Waldrop’s presence on the court is not unseen.

“She’s a great role model for her teammates… she always brings a lot of energy,” said Head Coach Sara Rhode, whose basketball program has been everything successful at NDA

Waldrop serves as a leader for her high school teams as well as her club sports teams. 

She plays shortstop and catcher for softball. 

“I can control the field…I love that it’s a big leadership role,” said Waldrop on her softball position opinions.

Waldrop is looking forward to finishing up her last years of high school and moving on to making new relationships in college.