ATHENS, Greece — A dream is becoming a reality for Saint Mary's Volleyball's Elena Baka. The Thessaloniki-native is slated to return home to Greece as she has been selected by the Greece Volleyball Federation to train for the Tokyo Olympics in beach volleyball. Baka is the second Gael in as many seasons to compete for a national team, with Sarah Chase ('19) playing for the Canadian National Team in 2019.
 
"I have always wanted to be part of the Women's Beach Volleyball National Team, and now my dream comes true," Baka stated. "I am so thankful and excited to train for the Olympics. I feel very grateful for this amazing opportunity."
 
As a freshman, Baka was one of just three Gaels to play in every set (106) as well as every match (28) during the 2019 indoor season. She recorded 280 kills in her freshman season (2.64 kills per set) which was second most on the team, and collected 56 total blocks. Her biggest accolade came on September 16 when she was named the Saint Mary's Player of the Week following the Bay Area Invitational where she was named to the all-tournament team and recorded 31 kills, three service aces and five blocks. Her best kills performances of the season came on November 9 against Gonzaga, when she recorded a career-high 17 kills.
 
"We couldn't be prouder or more excited for Elena," head coach of the Gaels, Rob Browning, said. "She is a beloved member of our Saint Mary's Volleyball family and we fully support her pursuing this incredible opportunity. Elena knows that there is no bigger or more enthusiastic fan base than the Gaels who will support her every step of the way as she strives to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo next summer and represent Greece."
 
During Beach season, Baka appeared in all eight matches and along with teammate Chandler Cowell, went 5-3 on the year, while winning their final four matches of the season. The two owned the best record of any Gael pair in 2020. Baka and Cowell picked up the Gaels second set win of the year against No. 14 Grand Canyon on February 22 and swept three matches in a row at the WCC/Big West Challenge on March 7.
 
"What can I say, she continues to amaze me as a person and player," Cowell glowed about Baka. "Her love for the game is endless and I could not be more proud of her. She truly deserves every opportunity and although I will miss my partner, I cannot wait to cheer for her and watch her live her dream. I enjoyed every second playing with her and learning her view of the game. She really made me fall in love with beach volleyball more than I thought I could. Elena loves volleyball and this is just the beginning for her."
 
Baka will be attempting to help her home country reach the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo (scheduled for the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), which would mark the first trip to the Olympics for Greece since 2012. Their best finish came in 2004, when Greece earned a ninth-place finish overall. 
 
"It comes as no surprise that Elena has been chosen to represent her country," assistant coach Mandy Bible said. "Her passion for the game and determination has led her to many amazing opportunities, and the Olympics is the cherry on top. Being a part of an athlete's lifelong dream is something special and I am so proud to call her a member of our SMCVB family."
 
Of course, leaving Saint Mary's is something bittersweet for Baka, who really cherished her time as a Gael. "Being a part of the Saint Mary's volleyball team is something that I am really grateful for," said Baka. "My experience at Saint Mary's College this year couldn't have been better. The team is amazing and I will for sure miss being there with them this year."
 
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