SUNY Cortland names Corning West graduate women’s volleyball coach

Kristin Baker, who starred at Corning West in the early 2000s, has been named head coach of the SUNY Cortland women’s volleyball team.

Baker was officially named to the position Tuesday, June 30.

“I am truly honored to be named the next head volleyball coach at SUNY Cortland,” Baker said in a press release from SUNY Cortland. “I am grateful to President Erik Bitterbaum, Director of Athletics Mike Urtz and the search committee for allowing me this opportunity.

“This institution is overflowing with excellence and pride both academically and athletically and I absolutely cannot wait to be a part of it.”

Corning West graduate Kristin Baker was named women's volleyball coach at SUNY Cortland on June 30, 2026 after coaching at Hamilton College. — Corning West graduate Kristin Baker was named women’s volleyball coach at SUNY Cortland on June 30, 2026 after coaching at Hamilton College.

Baker takes over for Erin Glickert, whose teams compiled a record of 149-39 and won five SUNYAC titles during her tenure from 2019 to 2025. Glickert stepped down in April to spend more time with family.

Baker was head coach at Hamilton College from 2017 until this past season. Her teams compiled a record of 69-96 and Baker had the program’s second-highest overall winning percentage and its highest over the last 30 seasons.

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Before that, Baker was an assistant coach at Colgate University from 2009 to 2016, an assistant at the University of Dayton in 2008, and an assistant at SUNY New Paltz in 2007.

Previously known as Kristin Fiorillo, Baker helped Corning West advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B championship match in 2002, earning Southern Tier Athletic Conference all-star honors. The final four that season was played at SUNY Cortland.

After starring at Corning West, she played at the University at Albany from 2003 to 2006, helping the Great Danes to three America East regular-season titles and appearances in the NCAA Division I tournament in 2004 and 2006.

Baker, 41, lives in Hamilton with her husband, Ryan, their sons Brody and Landon, and their daughter Elliot. Ryan is head coach of Colgate’s women’s volleyball team.

Baker’s dad, Lou Fiorillo, was a highly successful track & cross country coach in the Corning-Painted Post School District who went on to coach cross country at Elmira College.

“The next chapter of Cortland volleyball is here,” Urtz said in the press release. “We are incredibly excited to announce Kristin as our new head coach.

“Kristin’s volleyball background truly speaks for itself. Her extensive experience with elite programs in the Northeast gives her the perfect skill set to keep our program on a highly competitive path.”

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: SUNY Cortland names Corning West graduate women’s volleyball coach

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