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RC’s front-row standouts ink NLIs
Hoffman signs with Stanislaus State, Vander Veen with Concordia
Ripon Christian girls volleyball
Jordan Vander Veen (left) and Sydney Hoffman prepare to sign their letters of intent to Concordia of Irvine and Stanislaus State, respectively. - photo by DAVE CAMPBELL
DAVE CAMPBELL
Bulletin correspondent
Published: Dec 9, 2023, 4:21 AM

Jordan Vander Veen and Sydney Hoffman, two of the stalwarts of Ripon Christian’s back-to-back girls volleyball state champion teams, signed college letters of intent Thursday.

A four-year starter, Jordan Vander Veen will continue her career at Concordia in Irvine. Vander Veen’s 497 kills this year ranked her 16th in the nation, 14th in the state and tops in the Sac-Joaquin Section. She was 10th in the SJS Division V and third in the Southern Athletic League with 274 digs, her hitting percentage of .290 was seventh in Division V and second in the SAL and her 93 aces were eighth in Division V and second in the SAL.

Vander Veen began playing competitive volleyball at age 10.

Ripon Christian girls volleyball
Jordan Vander Veen signs her letter of intent to Concordia of Irvine.
“Obviously, I wanted to play college volleyball ever since I started playing volleyball,” Vander Veen said. “So, this is really cool.

“This is something I have been working for, and I feel like I have accomplished a big goal. I am really excited for this new chapter and to play with a new team at a new level.”

Hoffman started on the varsity her junior and senior years and was called up for the playoffs when she was a sophomore. Hoffman’s .465 hitting percentage was fourth in the state, second in the CIF and first in the SJS. Her 321 kills were second in Division V and the SAL and her 46 blocks were fifth in Division V and tops in the SAL.

“This is a dream come true,” Hoffman said. “I have always wanted to play at Stan State.

Ripon Christian girls volleyball
Sydney Hoffman signs her letter of intent to Stanislaus State.

“I am happy that is finally happening and I finally got to this point.”

Vander Veen and Hoffman are leaving some big shoes for Knights coach Kayla Kootstra to fill.

“They are amazing players,” Kootstra said. “As I mentioned earlier, Jordan is one of the smartest players I have ever coached and that is a huge asset. She does things on the court innately, so I don’t have to even have change anything up. She also has a drive and a passion for the game that you can’t coach and that has been such a huge part of bringing our team and our program to where it is today.

“And Sydney is just your quiet, unassuming powerhouse. I love her chill attitude. She is just so steady – not just in her play, her play has been phenomenally steady for us – but also with her whole demeanor on the court. Girls can sometimes be all over the place and to sometimes have that rock and that steadiness can be a huge asset for us.”