By: Chris Stachiw

After an excellent first season with the Tigers, Courtney Baker was selected to compete with the Canadian national senior team this past summer in Winnipeg, MB.

The training camp ran from May 7 to June 30 and although Baker did not end up travelling with the team to the 2016 NORCECA Pan-American Cup, she trained alongside an impressive roster for two months of the summer. The overall experience Baker gained and the training she received was a very unique accomplishment.

“The best part of this summer was actually making the team,” Baker said. “I had low expectations of making the team so just being able to train for two months with the best athletes in Canada and some great coaching was tremendous.”

A CIS all-rookie team member last season, Baker was one of 28 players selected to refine their skills with Team Canada. Out of those 28, only 14 would compete for gold in the Pan Am Cup hosted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“I think my experience this summer will help me in this upcoming season [with the Tigers] because I really put a lot of pressure on myself to be able to train at a high level with my teammates and my coach. They really helped me step my game up to a new level.”

The head coach for Team Canada, Arnd Ludwig, was one of several impressive volleyball coaches who helped Baker further develop her game. Ludwig has over 10 years of professional women’s volleyball experience and provided all players, including Baker, with some expert insight on the game.

“There is no other way I would have wanted to spend my summer” added Baker. “It was an incredible experience full of volleyball and meeting tons of great people! I look forward to not only the challenge of next summer, but also this upcoming Tigers season.”

Baker looks to use this summer’s experience to be a major contributor for the Tigers this upcoming season. The women’s home opener will take place on Friday, October 28 at 6:00 pm against the Memorial Sea-Hawks.