Incoming volleyball player Courtney Baker got her first taste of national team experience after being selected as one of 12 athletes to represent Canada last month at the US High Performance Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Halifax, N.S. native joined Manitoba's National Team Challenge Cup (NTCC) team after Nova Scotia's18U provincial program was cancelled this summer. Baker was selected to Canada's squad based on her performance during the NTCC July 15-19 in Richmond, B. C. Once the team was announced, they spent two days of training together before headed to the 2015 US Indoor High Performance Championships July 21-25. Baker helped lead Canada to a fourth place finish at the event.

"I was so shocked about making the team," says Baker. "I was hopeful I would but didn't think it would actually happen. The experience has helped prepare me for the upcoming season with the Tigers because I got to play in a faster-paced game that what I was used to and the coaching staff was very demanding. I am ready for the pressure of doing well this coming season."

"It's a great accomplishment to be selected as one of the top 12 players in Canada in her age group," says Tigers head coach Rick Scott. "It shows the hard work and commitment that she has demonstrated within her sport and the elite skill level and athleticism that she has as a volleyball player."

Be sure to catch Courtney and the rest of the women's volleyball team this season as they look to capture their fourth consecutive AUS championship.