Kristin Baker, a veteran collegiate coach and former UAlbany standout, just finished her eighth season with the Colgate Volleyball program.
During her stint with the Raiders, Baker has helped Colgate win the 2012 Patriot League Championship and play in three other conference tournament finals while making the Patriot League Tournament five times.
Baker came to Hamilton after spending one year as an assistant coach at the University of Dayton. During the 2008 campaign, the Corning, N.Y. native served as recruiting coordinator and held other floor coaching duties for the Flyers. Dayton finished the season with a 21-13 overall record and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Championships.
“We are extremely excited to have Kristin as part of our program,” said head coach Ryan Baker. “She knows what it takes for a program to succeed as indicated by her trips to the NCAA Tournament both as a player and as a coach.
“Kristin came to us from a highly respected volleyball program where she was able to work alongside a very knowledgeable coach in Kelly Sheffield. She has an extremely infectious passion for the game and our team has greatly benefited from her work ethic and enthusiastic personality.”
Prior to landing at Dayton, she served as an assistant coach for one year at SUNY New Paltz, where she was in charge of the Hawks’ defense. In addition, Baker served as assistant facility manager for the school’s Wellness Center/Elting Gym.
During her collegiate playing career at UAlbany, she was a member of two America East Conference Tournament title teams, three regular season league crowns, and a program that posted a combined 43-9 mark in league play. In her senior season, she finished with 454 digs, a figure that currently ranks eighth on the all-time single season list at the school.
She is married to head coach Ryan Baker. The couple welcomed their first child, Brody, in January.
