Kerry Kapfer has coached volleyball at Shawnee Heights High for 25 years, but she knows her roots.

“I teach and coach over at Shawnee Heights,” she said. “But Lawrence is my home.”

A Lawrence resident, Kapfer first learned the game under legendary Lawrence High coach Joan Wells in 1971-72 and went on to play volleyball, swimming and tennis at Kansas University.

Kapfer has built an enduring Shawnee Heights program, winning two state titles and advancing to state 13 times. On Sept. 7 she won her 600th career match against Topeka Seaman. Kapfer, who also teaches high school biology and zoology at Shawnee Heights, aims for wins No. 606, 607 and 608 tonight when her 9-0 squad plays Emporia, Hayden and Junction City.

Describe the significance of your 600th career high school victory?

It’s an exciting landmark in my career. I just hope to continue helping kids be successful. That marker itself is neat. It’s exciting, but really my focus is on now. Do you see what I mean? It’s a neat thing, but I really like to keep my attention on the progress of my team.

Did you ever imagine you would rack up that many victories?

No. Oh, heavens no! I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great players at my school. We’ve had some wonderful teams.

Did your team celebrate your milestone? If so, how?

Kerry Kapfer, a Lawrence High and Kansas University graduate, now coaches volleyball at Shawnee Heights High in Tecumseh and recently won her 600th career match.

It was a surprise first of all. So that was neat. I’m not even sure who orchestrated the whole party and celebration. Some parents had a banner that they unrolled, and it was ‘Congratulations.’ The girls signed it. It had the year and date, and all the parents had these little round signs – like a volleyball on a stick. Then each of the players surprised me with a red rose, which was really beautiful. We had some cards and pictures and stuff like that, and then after our last match of the night, the parents had a little party with decorated cookies. We all just visited and had a good time. I just felt very appreciated and loved. So that was very special.

To what do you attribute your lasting success?

Great players, great parents, a lot of support and a real dedication to excellence by the athletes. We’ve been very fortunate also to have a lot of talented people come through and help us coach. We have that commitment to excellence, and the kids really embrace that notion.

What are your goals for this year’s team?

This year we’ve got a very mature starting group. They’ve played a lot of volleyball, and they’re very experienced. They are on a mission, and the mission includes winning our league, winning our sub-state and winning a state championship this year.

Kerry Kapfer, a Lawrence High and KU graduate, leads volleyball practice on Thursday at Shawnee Heights High School. Kapfer won her 600th career match as Shawnee Heights volleyball coach this season.

What do you try to instill in your players?

We have several tenets that we operate on. We try to impress on them the importance of being good, respectful, hard-working human beings. As they grow up, they can learn a lot from their team sports and hopefully things that will help them be successful people.

How did you become interested in volleyball?

When I was growing up, I always liked sports. For the girls at Lawrence High, we had a leaders club and a sports show and some activities like that. As soon as we started to have girls sporting teams, of course, I went out for everything because I wanted to be active and I loved to compete. It’s just for me a part of life. It makes life sweet.

Do you find teaching biology and zoology as rewarding as coaching?

Definitely. It’s a different satisfaction, but coaching is a unique experience. In so many ways, coaching is teaching. I enjoy all aspects of school life. I like the teaching and the coaching and enjoy just the variety of ways to interact with people.

How much longer do you plan to coach?

As long as I have the energy and the interest, I plan to coach.