Two Generations, One Jersey: Amber and Caroline Kahle’s SFA Volleyball Legacy
9/25/2026 4:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- Caroline Kahle didn't grow up planning to follow her mother's footsteps to Stephen F. Austin. She loved the program, knew its history, and respected the coach who once shaped her mom's life, but she wasn't sure she wanted to repeat the same path. That changed with one phone call.
"I wasn't so sure if I initially wanted to come to SFA because I wanted to make my own path and not do the same thing as my mom," Caroline said. "I grew up supporting SFA because my mom went there, but I didn't think I would end up going there as well."
Everything shifted when Head Coach Debbie Humphreys reached out. "No coach talked about loving Jesus like Coach Humphreys did," Caroline said. "I began to realize I could develop as both an athlete and a human if I chose to go to SFA."
That decision connected two generations, and one coach, across decades. Caroline and her mother, Amber Kahle, are one of only seven known mother-daughter duos to play collegiate volleyball at the same school. They are the ONLY pair to play for the same head coach.
A Legacy Built on Faith and Grit
Amber remembers her own introduction to Coach Humphreys clearly. "It was incredibly hard," Amber said. "It was the hardest thing physically and mentally I had ever done. She was tough. She expected our maximum effort and dedication in everything we did."
That intensity shaped Amber's life. "When I played for coach, it was only she and Richard, but her faith and family were always a priority," Amber said. "It made me smile thinking about the incredible women I was blessed to play with at SFA and how vital it still is to surround yourself with the right people who build you up and make you better."
Caroline's experience under Humphreys has echoed those same lessons. "Coach Humphreys has helped me grow as a volleyball player and a person by showing what it looks like to live an intentional life," Caroline said. "The experiences I have had playing volleyball at SFA have taught me the importance of discipline, giving my best every day, and leaning on the people around me."
The stories Amber shared with her daughter—of ice baths outside Shelton Gym after grueling three-a-day practices, of long bus rides and Michael Jackson blaring from the speakers—primed Caroline for the demands of the program. They also prepared her to embrace its culture. "I knew this program was not built for those that are mentally weak," Caroline said. "I came in with the mindset that everything I was going to experience throughout my time at SFA was going to make me a stronger person."
Coach Humphreys remembers Amber as a spark plug. "Amber was a very high-energy player who never met a stranger," Humphreys said. "She was an amazing teammate who liked to have fun."
And she sees the same qualities in Caroline. "Both Amber and Caroline are very bubbly humans who are easy to get to know," Humphreys said. "They are loud and fun to be around. Their personalities are very similar."
Carving Her Own Path
While the connection to her mother is undeniable, Caroline has worked hard to make her journey her own. "I have learned what a blessing it is to follow in my mom's footsteps while doing it in my own unique way," she said. "I think my mom and I definitely share a competitive mindset and desire to win, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Versatility has become a hallmark of Caroline's career at SFA. "My mom had been a middle, right side hitter, and also ended up playing right back defense," Caroline said. "I have played almost every position besides being a middle during my time at SFA, so full credit to my mom for giving me the ability to adjust and give my best at every skill."
Amber sees the same adaptability—and the same heart. "Honestly, it's a bit surreal," Amber said of watching her daughter wear the same uniform she once did. "I am very thankful that Caroline also has the opportunity to represent SFA and that it is a special place in her heart too."
That gratitude deepened during a moment Amber will never forget. "Caroline was not producing the numbers coach wanted on the outside and another player was starting the next match," Amber said. "Before the match started, I watched Caroline put both of her hands on the player who was starting and pray over her. She proceeded to cheer and encourage all of her teammates from the bench. When I asked her about it after the game, she told me that her impact for Jesus is more important as is being the best teammate she can be to others."
A Shared Coach, a Shared Standard
For Coach Humphreys, the experience of coaching both Amber and Caroline is a rare gift. "I remember when players that were part of my early coaching years had daughters that were in high school and we started watching them, I felt extremely old," Humphreys said with a laugh. "Now, I think it is a really cool experience!"
Humphreys said the coaching relationship has naturally evolved over time. "I'm sure there are differences simply because hopefully I've grown as a coach over the years," she said. "They were both easy to coach because they take care of their business away from the court, they work hard every day, and care about the team."
Both mother and daughter have felt that balance of high standards and genuine care. "Coach isn't always going to be happy with the way I am performing, and I may not agree with everything she says, but there is still a level of respect between us," Caroline said. "I think she can expect me to give my best every day, and I know that she is making decisions because she ultimately wants our team to succeed."
Amber witnessed that leadership firsthand during Caroline's freshman year. "We won the WAC and were undefeated," Amber said. "We lost the tournament championship match to GCU after being on the road for 11 days. I remember the team huddling together very tightly on the court and Coach talking to the girls. To my surprise, they were smiling, along with many of the players understandably shedding tears. I asked what Coach was saying and Caroline said she was very positive and encouraging and told the girls to not let this one loss take away from the incredible season the team had."
Full-Circle Moments
One of Caroline's proudest memories at SFA is forever tied to her mother's legacy. "Last year, as a junior, I was selected to the Southland Conference Tournament All-Tournament team after our team won the Conference Tournament and punched our ticket to the NCAA tournament," Caroline said. "It was an emotional moment for our whole team and coaches, but the coolest part was that I was able to share that moment with my parents. I was then informed that my mom was selected as the Southland Conference Tournament MVP her junior year after they won the Tournament as well. It is very cool to me that one of my favorite volleyball memories could be shared with my parents who both pushed me and guided me to reach this level of collegiate sports."
Humphreys said that connection speaks to the heart of the program. "It's so much fun seeing the entire family enjoying this experience," she said. "Caroline isn't at SFA because her mom came here. She did her homework and fortunately SFA was a good fit for her!"
For Caroline, that fit goes beyond volleyball. "It is such a privilege to share an SFA volleyball connection with my mom and represent the university that meant so much to her," she said. "This place truly is so special, and I hope to be as kind and welcoming as the people in Nacogdoches for the rest of my life."
A Legacy That Lasts
As the only mother-daughter duo to play for the same head coach, Amber and Caroline have become a living bridge between generations of SFA volleyball. Humphreys summed up their legacy in four words: "Ideal teammates; Team first."
Caroline wouldn't want it any other way. "I am beyond blessed to have the college volleyball experiences I have," she said. "And I am thankful to have parents that have both shown me what it looks like to live a life devoted to working hard and serving Jesus."
"I wasn't so sure if I initially wanted to come to SFA because I wanted to make my own path and not do the same thing as my mom," Caroline said. "I grew up supporting SFA because my mom went there, but I didn't think I would end up going there as well."
Everything shifted when Head Coach Debbie Humphreys reached out. "No coach talked about loving Jesus like Coach Humphreys did," Caroline said. "I began to realize I could develop as both an athlete and a human if I chose to go to SFA."
That decision connected two generations, and one coach, across decades. Caroline and her mother, Amber Kahle, are one of only seven known mother-daughter duos to play collegiate volleyball at the same school. They are the ONLY pair to play for the same head coach.
A Legacy Built on Faith and Grit
Amber remembers her own introduction to Coach Humphreys clearly. "It was incredibly hard," Amber said. "It was the hardest thing physically and mentally I had ever done. She was tough. She expected our maximum effort and dedication in everything we did."
That intensity shaped Amber's life. "When I played for coach, it was only she and Richard, but her faith and family were always a priority," Amber said. "It made me smile thinking about the incredible women I was blessed to play with at SFA and how vital it still is to surround yourself with the right people who build you up and make you better."
Caroline's experience under Humphreys has echoed those same lessons. "Coach Humphreys has helped me grow as a volleyball player and a person by showing what it looks like to live an intentional life," Caroline said. "The experiences I have had playing volleyball at SFA have taught me the importance of discipline, giving my best every day, and leaning on the people around me."
The stories Amber shared with her daughter—of ice baths outside Shelton Gym after grueling three-a-day practices, of long bus rides and Michael Jackson blaring from the speakers—primed Caroline for the demands of the program. They also prepared her to embrace its culture. "I knew this program was not built for those that are mentally weak," Caroline said. "I came in with the mindset that everything I was going to experience throughout my time at SFA was going to make me a stronger person."
Coach Humphreys remembers Amber as a spark plug. "Amber was a very high-energy player who never met a stranger," Humphreys said. "She was an amazing teammate who liked to have fun."
And she sees the same qualities in Caroline. "Both Amber and Caroline are very bubbly humans who are easy to get to know," Humphreys said. "They are loud and fun to be around. Their personalities are very similar."
Carving Her Own Path
While the connection to her mother is undeniable, Caroline has worked hard to make her journey her own. "I have learned what a blessing it is to follow in my mom's footsteps while doing it in my own unique way," she said. "I think my mom and I definitely share a competitive mindset and desire to win, and are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen."
Versatility has become a hallmark of Caroline's career at SFA. "My mom had been a middle, right side hitter, and also ended up playing right back defense," Caroline said. "I have played almost every position besides being a middle during my time at SFA, so full credit to my mom for giving me the ability to adjust and give my best at every skill."
Amber sees the same adaptability—and the same heart. "Honestly, it's a bit surreal," Amber said of watching her daughter wear the same uniform she once did. "I am very thankful that Caroline also has the opportunity to represent SFA and that it is a special place in her heart too."
That gratitude deepened during a moment Amber will never forget. "Caroline was not producing the numbers coach wanted on the outside and another player was starting the next match," Amber said. "Before the match started, I watched Caroline put both of her hands on the player who was starting and pray over her. She proceeded to cheer and encourage all of her teammates from the bench. When I asked her about it after the game, she told me that her impact for Jesus is more important as is being the best teammate she can be to others."
A Shared Coach, a Shared Standard
For Coach Humphreys, the experience of coaching both Amber and Caroline is a rare gift. "I remember when players that were part of my early coaching years had daughters that were in high school and we started watching them, I felt extremely old," Humphreys said with a laugh. "Now, I think it is a really cool experience!"
Humphreys said the coaching relationship has naturally evolved over time. "I'm sure there are differences simply because hopefully I've grown as a coach over the years," she said. "They were both easy to coach because they take care of their business away from the court, they work hard every day, and care about the team."
Both mother and daughter have felt that balance of high standards and genuine care. "Coach isn't always going to be happy with the way I am performing, and I may not agree with everything she says, but there is still a level of respect between us," Caroline said. "I think she can expect me to give my best every day, and I know that she is making decisions because she ultimately wants our team to succeed."
Amber witnessed that leadership firsthand during Caroline's freshman year. "We won the WAC and were undefeated," Amber said. "We lost the tournament championship match to GCU after being on the road for 11 days. I remember the team huddling together very tightly on the court and Coach talking to the girls. To my surprise, they were smiling, along with many of the players understandably shedding tears. I asked what Coach was saying and Caroline said she was very positive and encouraging and told the girls to not let this one loss take away from the incredible season the team had."
Full-Circle Moments
One of Caroline's proudest memories at SFA is forever tied to her mother's legacy. "Last year, as a junior, I was selected to the Southland Conference Tournament All-Tournament team after our team won the Conference Tournament and punched our ticket to the NCAA tournament," Caroline said. "It was an emotional moment for our whole team and coaches, but the coolest part was that I was able to share that moment with my parents. I was then informed that my mom was selected as the Southland Conference Tournament MVP her junior year after they won the Tournament as well. It is very cool to me that one of my favorite volleyball memories could be shared with my parents who both pushed me and guided me to reach this level of collegiate sports."
Humphreys said that connection speaks to the heart of the program. "It's so much fun seeing the entire family enjoying this experience," she said. "Caroline isn't at SFA because her mom came here. She did her homework and fortunately SFA was a good fit for her!"
For Caroline, that fit goes beyond volleyball. "It is such a privilege to share an SFA volleyball connection with my mom and represent the university that meant so much to her," she said. "This place truly is so special, and I hope to be as kind and welcoming as the people in Nacogdoches for the rest of my life."
A Legacy That Lasts
As the only mother-daughter duo to play for the same head coach, Amber and Caroline have become a living bridge between generations of SFA volleyball. Humphreys summed up their legacy in four words: "Ideal teammates; Team first."
Caroline wouldn't want it any other way. "I am beyond blessed to have the college volleyball experiences I have," she said. "And I am thankful to have parents that have both shown me what it looks like to live a life devoted to working hard and serving Jesus."
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