A Crofton woman has earned a world championship in volleyball.
Courtney Baker is a middle hitter for the U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team that won its first world championship with a 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 24-26, 25-10) victory over defending champion Brazil last Friday in the 2026 ParaVolley World Championship in China.
The 2012 Christian County High School graduate earned a scholarship to Asbury University after a career with the Lady Colonels that saw her finish with more than 300 kills.
A car accident in December of 2012 on her way home from college for Christmas break resulted in Baker having her left leg amputated below the knee.
However, the former Lady Colonels’ star battled back and finished her career at Asbury. In 2015 the 5-foot-9 Baker earned a spot on the United States’ 12-member Parapan Women’s Sitting Team.
Women’s sitting volleyball is a fast-paced sport where athletes play seated on a smaller court with a lower net, using volleyball skills adapted for seated play. It is played much like volleyball except players must keep in contact with the floor when touching the ball.
US Volleyball Photo