Idaho guard Keri Arendse knew what she wanted to do after high school — play Division I basketball. But it took two years for that dream to be fulfilled by signing with the Vandals.
Arendse was born in Mount Vernon, Wash., and attended Burlington-Edison High School. When it came to athletics Arendse had one passion — basketball.
“I like basketball the most,” Arendse said. “I like how competitive it is and it’s a really challenging sport. I loved it more than anything else.”
Her passion for the game led her to excel on her high school team where she was a three-time first-team all-district selection and was named all-state her sophomore year.
As college neared, Arendse receieved a number of offers, but none of them felt right, instead she decided to stay in in her hometown and play for Skagit Valley College.
Arendse’s second year at Skagit was one to remember. She led the Cardinals to an overall 21-4 record as the team’s captain and averaged 15.5 points and 7 rebounds per game. Arendse said her coaches at Skagit had a huge impact on her moving forward.
“My Skagit coachers were really positive and encouraging and really helped me out a lot,” Arendse said. “They helped me get here. This was my ultimate goal, to play Division I, so they really helped me out with that.”
She was named the 2010 Skagit Valley College Athlete of the Year and received numerous league honors, which got the attention of Idaho coach Jon Newlee. After two years at Skagit Arendse said she found the school that fit her and accomplished the dream of playing at the Division I level.
“I got a really good offer and I liked the coaches when I came on my visit,” Arendse said. “I thought it’d be a good fit for me.”
Arendse claimed a starting position her first year at Idaho, playing in all 31 games for the Vandals last season. She scored in double figures nine times solidifying her spot as a team leader.
Arendse, the only returning starter from last season and a team captain, averages 7.3 points per game and is second on the team in rebounds. She also leads the team in steals and minutes played thus far.
While the Vandals have had a disappointing first half of the season, Arendse said she hopes to turn things around and go out with a bang.
“I just really want to have a good senior year and start winning some games for the team and the program,” Arendse said. “I just want to go out good.”