Debby Baker begins her fifth season with the Aggie volleyball team as a full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Over the past four years, Baker has led in the recruiting of some of the nation’s top prep and collegiate volleyball talent. In 2003, the Aggies’ recruiting class was ranked among the 50 best in the nation by prepvolleyball.com.
This season, Baker and the Aggies will bring in seven highly touted freshman from around the country, including 6-2 setter Jessee Ericson who was named one of the nation’s top-50 recruits by prepvolleyball.com. Joining Ericson in this year’s recruiting class are New Mexico products Kelli Goodan (Des Moines), Nicole Holguin (Anthony) and Angel Tirado (Las Cruces). In all, the Aggies will begin the 2006 campaign with 14 players from the states of New Mexico and Texas on the roster.
Last season, Baker and the Aggies landed one of the best high school setters out of Texas in Angelle Guerre. NMSU also signed former Mayfield High School star Krystal Torres who led the Trojans to the 5A state title as a senior.
“Debby has done a great job recruiting quality people as well as athletes. She’s fast becoming one of the country’s best recruiting coordinators. She cares a great deal about our student-athletes and continually helps them achieve their goals,” head coach Mike Jordan said.
Baker came to NMSU after being an assistant at New Mexico during the 2001 season.
She attended and played volleyball at the College of Southern Idaho (1990-91) and at Utah State (1992-93). While at CSI Baker earned second team all-conference honors and was a member of the Region 18 Scenic West Team.
At USU, Baker earned Big West Academic Honors graduating Cum Laude with a Marketing degree in 1994.
Baker’s coaching experience includes serving as an assistant at College of Southern Idaho in 1994-95. She helped Southern Idaho to a NJCAA National Championship with a 62-3 record in 1994 and an undefeated season in 1995 with a 65-0 mark. Aside from coaching duties at CSI, Baker was the sports information director.
Before joining the Lobos coaching staff, Baker was a marketing teacher at Clearfield High School in Clearfield, Utah. In 2000, Baker was a volunteer coach under Tom Peterson at Utah State.
Baker, 34, is married to Jon, a teacher at White Sands Middle School. She and Jon have three sons Bryan 20, and Tyler, 17 and Logan Jon Baker, who was born July 12, 2005.
