Prosper Volleyball Coach Erin Kauffman Celebrates 300th Win at Season Opener
by Alexis Jacobs – Cedarbrook Media
Prosper Volleyball is known nationally as a powerhouse volleyball program. Hundreds of girls over the years have played for Prosper volleyball, several continuing to play after graduating high school. But no one has left their mark on Prosper Volleyball more than Coach Erin Kauffman. On August 9th Kauffman notched her 300th career win in a four-set victory over last year’s 5A State Champion Lovejoy.
This is Kauffman’s 10th year as the Prosper Volleyball Head Coach. Before becoming the head coach at Prosper, Kauffman was the Varsity Assistant at Lovejoy High School, making the 300th win extra sweet in the same gym she first began her coaching career.
“300 wins means a lot to me, especially since all of them have come as the Prosper High school head coach,” says Coach Erin Kauffman. “I’m blessed to work and live in a community that truly supports athletics. We have an administration that understands the importance of extracurriculars in students’ lives and works to make sure that our programs are taken care of.”
Prosper Volleyball has flourished since Kauffman took the reins 10 years ago. Last year, the Eagles advanced to the Region II 6A Semifinals, the fifth straight year for the Eagles to reach the Regional Tournament. In 2020, despite COVID restrictions, the Eagles finished at the top of District 5-6A and advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals. In 2019, the Eagles won District 9-6A and reached the Regional Semifinals.
In 2018, the Eagles entered 6A with a bang, winning the prestigious Pearland Tournament, capturing the District 9-6A title with a perfect 12-0 record, and finished the season one win away from the State Final Four. Kauffman was named District Coach of the Year.
In 2017, the Eagles went 46-6, capturing the UIL Class 5A State Volleyball Title, a first for any girls’ team at Prosper High School. Kauffman picked up her second Dallas Morning News All-Area Coach of the Year, was named Texas Association of Volleyball Coaches (TAVC) 5A Coach of the Year, District 14-5A Coach of the Year, and was also the first recipient of the annual PISD High School Coach of the Year. The Eagles finished the season ranked #38 in the Nation according to MaxPreps.
In 2016, the Eagles went 40-9, won the Allen Open Tournament, and captured the District 14-5A title without dropping a set. They advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals before losing in a five-set heartbreaker. Kauffman was awarded District Coach of the Year. In 2015, the Eagles shared the District 10-5A title and finished the season as Region II Quarterfinalists with a 39-10 record.
In 2014, the Eagles shared the District 10-5A title and handed Lovejoy their first ever district loss. As a result, Kauffman was voted District 10-5A Coach of the Year. The 2014 Prosper Eagles finished 35-12, advancing to the Regional Finals, finishing the season ranked #3 in 5A and #20 over all classes.
During Kauffman’s first year as Prosper Head Coach, the Eagles advanced to the 4A State Title Match. Kauffman was named Dallas Morning News Volleyball Coach of the Year, VYPE magazine DFW Volleyball Coach of the Year, SFASU Alumni Coaches Award, and was a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association “Thirty Under 30” Award, given to thirty coaches nationwide at the high school, club and college level who are under the age of 30.
Before beginning her coaching career, Kauffman spent four years at Stephen F. Austin State University, as the recruiting coordinator for the volleyball program. During Kauffman’s time at SFA, the Ladyjacks set the Southland Conference record for consecutive conference wins with 63, and also advanced to the second round of the Division I NCAA Championships in 2006. Kauffman was a four-year letter winner at Saint Louis University, playing both setter and libero.
“I made a good decision ten years ago that ended up being a life changer,” says Coach Kauffman. “I am forever thankful for PISD and Dr. Watkins, who took a chance on a fiery 28-year-old with no head coaching experience!”
