Union High School senior Kaeli Block signed a letter of intent with the Waldorf University women’s basketball team last Wednesday. Pictured in back (L to R): Union coach Robert Driscoll and Waldorf coach Katie Schutjer. Front: Block’s mother, Tera; Block and her father, Thatcher.

Kaeli Block aims to continue her success on the hardwood as a member of the Waldorf University women’s basketball team next season.

Block, a 5-foot-10 senior power forward from Union High School, signed a letter of intent with the Warriors on Wednesday.

“We are excited to add a good Iowa talent to our program next season,” Waldorf coach Katie Schutjer said. “She comes from a very successful program that has an excellent tradition under head coach Robert Driscoll. She wants to win and expects to win, which is an edge that we are excited to add to our team as we continue to build this program.”

A four-year varsity starter and letter winner at Union, Block was named a Class 3A third-team all-state selection by the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association (IGCA) as a junior last season. She led the Knights to a 20-3 record and the North Iowa Cedar League (NICL) East title with a 15-1 conference record. Block led Union in scoring and rebounding with 12.5 points and five rebounds a game while shooting 103-of-211 (48.8 percent) from the field and 73-of-98 (74.5 percent) at the free-throw line.

During the first three years of Block’s high school career, she earned all-conference, all-district and all-region honors each season.

With four forwards currently on Waldorf’s roster, Block will help bolster the team’s frontcourt.

“She will bring us more depth at the forward position,” Schutjer said. “Although slightly undersized at the forward position, she has good footwork around the basket and has the ability to score around taller post players.”

Aside from dominating in the paint, Block can also stretch the floor from 3-point range and will look to further her skillset while making an impact for the Warriors.

“She has the ability to step out and hit the 3-point shot, which will really give her the advantage when it comes to developing her game over the next four years,” Schutjer said.

Block is the daughter of Thatcher and Tera Block. She will study wellness and earn a minor in sport management at Waldorf, which is only a little more than two hours away from her hometown.

“Waldorf is close to home and having the opportunity to play in front my family was a big part of my decision to attend Waldorf,” Block said.

Block becomes the first member of Waldorf’s 2017-18 recruiting class. Competing at the collegiate level has been Block’s goal since her youth and she’s ready to continue to excel when she joins the Warriors.

“Since I was a little kid, my dream has been to play college basketball,” Block said. “I am excited to continue my basketball career and to play for Coach Schutjer.”