wyff
After 46 remarkable seasons, Paula Kirkland, the head coach of Dorman High School's girls volleyball team, has declared her retirement from coaching. Her tenure is regarded as one of the most successful and impactful in the annals of high school volleyball.
Kirkland, who has spent over four and a half decades at Dorman, expressed deep appreciation for the community she has always considered home. She spoke of feeling fortunate to work in a school district that supported her, alongside a coaching staff that became like family, and with generations of players who poured their hearts into the program, making each season memorable.
She extended her thanks to the fans, parents, alumni, and numerous supporters of Dorman Volleyball over the years for being part of the journey. While the victories and championships hold a special place in her heart, Kirkland emphasized that the relationships, friendships, and memories are what she will cherish most. Dorman, she noted, provided her with more than just a coaching position; it gave her a lifetime of purpose, pride, and a sense of belonging.
Although she is stepping away from the sidelines, Kirkland affirmed that she will always remain a Cavalier. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to spend 46 unforgettable years doing what she loves, in the place she loves, with the people she loves.
The statistics from Kirkland's legendary career are staggering. Under her guidance, Dorman secured 17 State Championships, 36 Region Championships, and 1,173 victories. She was honored as Region Coach of the Year 26 times and South Carolina Volleyball Coach of the Year three times, and she also received recognition as AVCA Sectional Coach of the Year and NFHS National Volleyball Coach of the Year. Kirkland has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame, including the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association (SCACA) Hall of Fame and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Hall of Fame.
Dr. Ken Kiser, Superintendent of Spartanburg County School District Six, reflected on Kirkland's extraordinary career and her lasting influence on the district. He noted that while her Hall of Fame resume is filled with state and region championships, coach of the year honors, and Hall of Fame inductions, her greatest achievements lie in the positive impact she has had on her players, coaches, staff, and the District Six community and beyond. Kiser described Kirkland as a shining light whose legacy will continue through the lives of everyone she has touched, including his own.
For Kirkland, Dorman High School has always been more than just a school or a workplace—it has been home. She is a 1976 graduate of Dorman, where she earned three varsity letters in girls basketball. She attended Anderson Junior College and was part of the Junior College NAIA National Championship team during her freshman year. After Anderson, she attended Winthrop University, where she played both basketball and softball for two years. Upon graduating from Winthrop, she returned to her hometown of Roebuck and began teaching and coaching at Dorman High School.
When Kirkland joined the Dorman faculty in 1980, one of her responsibilities was to take over as head coach of the girls volleyball program. Although she had never played volleyball before, she embraced the opportunity with determination and a commitment to excellence. She sought out the best coaches around to learn the sport, gather coaching advice, and improve her ability to lead the Cavaliers.
In 1987, the Cavaliers claimed their first region championship in girls volleyball. They won it again in 1989 and went on to capture 18 consecutive region championships. Currently, the Cavaliers are in the midst of a new streak, having secured 15 straight region titles. Kirkland has always remembered those humble beginnings and those who gave their time to teach her the sport. To pay it forward, she has been a leader in mentoring young coaches at Dorman and across the state whenever the opportunity arises.
When Kirkland led the Cavaliers to their first volleyball state championship in 1990, it marked Dorman's first state championship in any sport in 20 years and only the school's fourth-ever state title. Girls volleyball and Kirkland played a pivotal role in transforming the success of the entire school. Not only has volleyball won 17 state championships, but since that first title in 1990, Dorman has gone on to win 68 state championships across all sports.
Although her time leading the Cavaliers from the sidelines has ended, Kirkland will continue to serve Dorman High School in her role as Assistant Athletic Director. Her impact on Dorman and its athletic programs will endure for generations, extending far beyond the championships and victories through the countless student-athletes, coaches, and members of the Dorman community whose lives she has influenced. While her role may look different moving forward, Paula Kirkland will always be an integral part of the Dorman Cavalier family.
Originally reported by wyff.