SUNY Cortland Appoints Corning West Alum Kristin Baker as Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

Kristin Baker, a former standout at Corning West in the early 2000s, has been appointed head coach of the SUNY Cortland women’s volleyball team.

Baker was officially hired for the role on Tuesday, June 30.

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

She added, “This institution overflows with excellence and pride, both academically and athletically, and I cannot wait to be part of it.”

Baker succeeds Erin Glickert, whose teams posted a 149‑39 record and captured five SUNYAC championships from 2019 to 2025. Glickert resigned in April to devote more time to her family.

Prior to joining Cortland, Baker served as head coach at Hamilton College from 2017 through the most recent season, compiling a 69‑96 record and achieving the program’s second‑highest overall winning percentage, as well as its best mark over the last three decades.

Before her tenure at Hamilton, Baker was an assistant coach at Colgate University (2009‑2016), the University of Dayton (2008), and SUNY New Paltz (2007).

Originally known as Kristin Fiorillo, she helped Corning West reach the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B championship game in 2002, earning Southern Tier Athletic Conference all‑star honors; the Final Four that year was held at SUNY Cortland.

After her high‑school career, Baker played for the University at Albany from 2003 to 2006, contributing to three America East regular‑season titles and NCAA Division I tournament appearances in 2004 and 2006.

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

Her father, Lou Fiorillo, enjoyed a distinguished career as a track and cross‑country coach in the Corning‑Painted Post School District before coaching cross country at Elmira College.

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

He continued, “Kristin’s volleyball résumé speaks for itself. Her extensive experience with elite Northeastern programs equips her with the ideal skill set to keep our program competitive.”

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