Fritz Adds Baka, Wilson to 2022 Roster
Jan 20, 2022 | Volleyball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State head volleyball coach Suzie Fritz announced the additions of outside hitter Elena Baka and outside hitter/opposite Dalia Wilson to the Wildcats' 2022 roster.
Baka comes to K-State after three seasons at Saint Mary's (California), as the 6-foot-1 native of Thessaloniki, Greece, has two years of eligibility remaining with the NCAA COVID policy. Wilson is a 6-3 incoming freshman hailing from Manisa, Turkey. Both will join the program this spring ahead of spring practices.
"We were looking to add a versatile outside hitter with well-rounded skills," Fritz said of Baka. "We feel as though we found that in Elena. She is an accomplished player, both indoor and outdoor, who brings experience and competitiveness into our gym."
In three seasons at Saint Mary's, Baka totaled over 660 kills in 66 matches (2.73 kills per set) while adding 566 digs (2.33 per set). Baka appeared in every set as a freshman for the Gaels, finishing second on her team with 280 kills while adding 56 blocks.
As a sophomore, Baka was named to the Preseason All-West Coast Conference Team and went on to earn an All-WCC Honorable Mention nod. She led the Gaels with 194 kills (3.08 per set) and 25 aces and finished second with 161 digs.
Baka posted four double-doubles as a junior and tied her career high with 17 kills to go with 17 digs against San Jose State. She also led the Gaels with 28 aces and left SMC with 67 career aces.
Additionally, Baka played two seasons on beach volleyball for the Gaels, going 16-11 over her freshman and sophomore campaigns. In the spring 2021 season, Baka was the only SMC player to be named All-WCC First Team and picked up ranked wins over No. 11 Pepperdine and No. 12 Stanford.
"Dalia has had excellent competitive experiences as a young player in Turkey and Serbia," said Fritz. "She adds a high level of athleticism and potential to our team. We were impressed with her commitment to her future development and desire to learn and take on new challenges."
Wilson most recently played for the super league club Radnicki Blasters in Belgrade, Serbia in the Volleyball Association of Serbia. Prior to her time in Serbia, Wilson played junior club with Eczacibasi based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Wilson helped the Turkey U16 national team win the 2019 European Championship while finishing ninth at the 2019 World Championships. Her U18 Turkey national team finished second in the 2020 European Championships and her club Eczacibasi turned in an eighth-place finish in the league standings in 2020.
In the fall of 2021, her Serbian club Radnicki Blasters reached the Round of 16 in the annual Serbian Cup.
Baka and Wilson become the 13th and 14th international student-athletes in program history and the first from their respective countries.
The duo will join three incoming freshmen in Aniya Clinton, Ava LeGrand and Brenna Schmidt to make up the 2022 signing class. LeGrand graduated early from Papillion-La Vista High School (Papillion, Nebraska) and is joining the Baka and Wilson for spring practices. Clinton and Schmidt will arrive in the summer ahead of the 2022 fall campaign.
K-State finished the 2021 season with a 15-13 record (6-10 Big 12) and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship, its 18th postseason appearance all-time and 13th under Fritz.
2022 K-State Volleyball Signing Class
Baka comes to K-State after three seasons at Saint Mary's (California), as the 6-foot-1 native of Thessaloniki, Greece, has two years of eligibility remaining with the NCAA COVID policy. Wilson is a 6-3 incoming freshman hailing from Manisa, Turkey. Both will join the program this spring ahead of spring practices.
"We were looking to add a versatile outside hitter with well-rounded skills," Fritz said of Baka. "We feel as though we found that in Elena. She is an accomplished player, both indoor and outdoor, who brings experience and competitiveness into our gym."
In three seasons at Saint Mary's, Baka totaled over 660 kills in 66 matches (2.73 kills per set) while adding 566 digs (2.33 per set). Baka appeared in every set as a freshman for the Gaels, finishing second on her team with 280 kills while adding 56 blocks.
As a sophomore, Baka was named to the Preseason All-West Coast Conference Team and went on to earn an All-WCC Honorable Mention nod. She led the Gaels with 194 kills (3.08 per set) and 25 aces and finished second with 161 digs.
Baka posted four double-doubles as a junior and tied her career high with 17 kills to go with 17 digs against San Jose State. She also led the Gaels with 28 aces and left SMC with 67 career aces.
Additionally, Baka played two seasons on beach volleyball for the Gaels, going 16-11 over her freshman and sophomore campaigns. In the spring 2021 season, Baka was the only SMC player to be named All-WCC First Team and picked up ranked wins over No. 11 Pepperdine and No. 12 Stanford.
"Dalia has had excellent competitive experiences as a young player in Turkey and Serbia," said Fritz. "She adds a high level of athleticism and potential to our team. We were impressed with her commitment to her future development and desire to learn and take on new challenges."
Wilson most recently played for the super league club Radnicki Blasters in Belgrade, Serbia in the Volleyball Association of Serbia. Prior to her time in Serbia, Wilson played junior club with Eczacibasi based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Wilson helped the Turkey U16 national team win the 2019 European Championship while finishing ninth at the 2019 World Championships. Her U18 Turkey national team finished second in the 2020 European Championships and her club Eczacibasi turned in an eighth-place finish in the league standings in 2020.
In the fall of 2021, her Serbian club Radnicki Blasters reached the Round of 16 in the annual Serbian Cup.
Baka and Wilson become the 13th and 14th international student-athletes in program history and the first from their respective countries.
The duo will join three incoming freshmen in Aniya Clinton, Ava LeGrand and Brenna Schmidt to make up the 2022 signing class. LeGrand graduated early from Papillion-La Vista High School (Papillion, Nebraska) and is joining the Baka and Wilson for spring practices. Clinton and Schmidt will arrive in the summer ahead of the 2022 fall campaign.
K-State finished the 2021 season with a 15-13 record (6-10 Big 12) and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship, its 18th postseason appearance all-time and 13th under Fritz.
2022 K-State Volleyball Signing Class
| Name | Pos. | Height | Hometown / Previous School / Club |
| Elena Baka | OH | 6-1 | Thessaloniki, Greece / Saint Mary's |
| Aniya Clinton | OH | 6-2 | Midland, Texas / Midland HS / Texas Advantage |
| Ava LeGrand | S | 6-0 | Papillion, Neb. / Papillion-La Vista South HS / Nebraska Juniors |
| Brenna Schmidt | MB | 6-6 | Eagle, Neb. / Elmwood-Murdock HS / Nebraska Juniors |
| Dalia Wilson | OH/OPP | 6-3 | Manisa, Turkey / Radnicki Blasters |
Players Mentioned
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