HAMILTON – Colgate Volleyball will wrap up the spring semester in grand fashion, when the team heads to Europe for an 11-day expedition that will include sightseeing, matches against local teams, and opportunities for the Raiders to grow as a program. 

From May 18 to May 29, the Raiders will embark on a trip with stops in Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Slovenia. 

"This is something we've been talking about in our program for a long time," said Colgate head coach Ryan Baker. "It's a unique opportunity to elevate our volleyball, especially with the additional training time we'll have together this summer. Extending our season by three weeks gives us a significant advantage simply through more reps and more time to grow as a team."

Baker said he believes the experience will create a stronger, more unified team, while providing student-athletes with the chance to expand their appreciation for different cultures. 

The team has scheduled several practices during its trip. In addition, the Raiders will get a taste of European club volleyball when they square off against local teams. Colgate will play at least four matches against U19 and U21 competition. 

"It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in a foreign country," Baker said. "Beyond the competitive edge, the experience aligns with Colgate Athletics' holistic development model—challenging student-athletes to grow culturally, academically, and personally alongside their athletic pursuits. 

"We'll experience different cultures, learn how to step outside our comfort zones, and navigate situations that don't always go as planned. Facing adversity together in a new environment will be incredibly valuable for our growth."

The team will initially travel from New York City to Prague, Czechia. From there, the Raiders will make stops in Vienna, Austria and Maribor, Slovenia. The final few days will be spent in Italy, where the Raiders will stop in Venice, Florence, and Rome before returning to Hamilton, N.Y.

Colgate has assembled an itinerary chockfull of activities that will allow the team to make the best of every stop. In Prague, the Raiders plan to visit Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge area, an iconic location known for its medieval artwork and architecture.

When the team visits Slovenia, the Raiders will take a private gondola ride up Pohorje Mountain and enjoy meals at a restaurant on top of the peak. 

The stop in Venice will be one of the few days when no volleyball is planned, giving the team ample time to wander in small groups, explore historic sites, ride on water taxis, and enjoy the gelato. 

The trip ends in Rome, where Colgate will play at least one match. The team's stay will include visits to the Colosseum and Vatican City.

Baker said he wants his student-athletes to take in everything they see. 

"We're incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to do something of this magnitude," he said. "I want them to feel grateful—not just for the experience itself, but for the chance to share it together. My hope is that it creates a deep sense of unity within the team.

"These are the kinds of experiences you talk about for the rest of your life— one of the very best parts of being a student-athlete. I've been here 20 years, and we've never taken a foreign tour before. That makes this even more special for this group."

The trip was made possible through some generous initial support from donors to the program and Colgate Athletics. Baker thanked everyone who helped make the trip possible. 

"This really shows how invested Colgate is in our volleyball program," Baker said. "It also speaks to how committed our alumni base is. This is a major undertaking that has required a great deal of time, effort, and financial support from many people to make it happen.

"I always tell our team that actions speak louder than words, and this is a perfect example of that. The support behind this trip shows that people genuinely care about what we're building here and are fully invested in our success."

When the Raiders return to campus, they will do so having shared not just additional matches and practices, but an experience designed to strengthen leadership, unity, and perspective—qualities that often define successful teams in the months that follow.