EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University women’s basketball team announced on Tuesday the signing of 6-1 Forward Haley VandenHazel. VandenHazel is a senior at Tumwater High School.
VandenHazel has made a huge impact at the prep level, leading the T-Birds to back-to-back appearances in the 2A State Championships. As a sophomore her team took eighth, followed by a fourth-place finish during her junior year.
“I am very excited to attend Northwest Christian University,” said VandenHazel, “because of the quality education, good basketball program, friendly people and awesome location. The community at NCU is Christ-centered and I look forward to growing in my faith and getting involved.”
The four-year varsity starter has led the team in rebounding and blocks in each of her first three seasons and was third on the team in scoring during her junior season. She earned All-Evergreen League honorable mention in 2011.
Head Coach Liz Turner-Bolton said, “We are thrilled to have a player of Haley’s caliber and character join us next year. Her dedication, drive and academic success are a natural fit for our program. Her leadership skills will be on full display both on the court and in chapel. Haley is a gifted forward who is blessed with size, agility and quickness. Our program will be able to utilize her abilities at a number of positions next year.”
VandenHazel is a National Honor Society student-athlete, carrying a 3.87 GPA. She earned the All-Academic award from the Evergreen Conference as a sophomore and junior.