Eric Schaefer begins his 16th season with the Cabrini volleyball team in 2021-22.
in 2022, Schaefer led the Cabrini volleyball team to the top of the conference, as the Cavaliers scored a 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21) win over Marymount to win the 2021 Atlantic East championship in Nerney Field House. Throughout the season Schaefer also helped develop Hannah Dalton into an AVCA All-American, Honorable Mention.
The victory marked the Blue and White's ninth conference championship and first since 2017.
Schaefer led the Cavaliers to nine consecutive Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship games, capturing eight titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Schaefer also boasts a 294-117 career record, a win percentage of better than .715.
After falling to a pair of top 11 teams during the opening weekend of 2018, the Cavaliers rallied to post a 23-11 mark in 2018. Despite extending its conference win streak to 65 matches, the Blue and White fell ini the Atlantic East championship match before playing host to the 2018 ECAC Tournament.
The Cavaliers tied a program record with 29 win in 2017, while pushing its conference win streak to 59 matches. Cabrini claimed its fifth consecutive CSAC championship with a 3-1 win over Neumann. The Cavaliers were led by a pair of freshman, who joined the short list of Cavaliers with All-America accolades. Steph Judkins was named AVCA National Freshman of the Year and claimed All-America Third Team honors, while classmate Olivia Blankenbiller received Honorable Mention.
Despite a slow start in 2016, the Cavaliers rallied to claim a fourth consecutive CSAC championship with a thrilling five set win over Keystone. Cabrini finished the season with a record of 25-10, including a perfect 11-0 in league play, extending its conference win streak to 48 matches.
The Cavaliers extended their CSAC championship run in 2015, downing Neumann 3-0 for the program's third consecutive league title. Led by AVCA All-Americans Christine Ingargiola and Cassidy Koenig, the Blue and White posted a 25-10 overall record. while extending its CSAC win streak to 37 matches with a perfect 11-0 conference mark.
The Blue and White raised its second consecutive CSAC crown in 2014, posting 18 consecutive victories en route to a 26-7 campaign. The club dropped just three sets in 13 matches against CSAC competition, as its 11-0 CSAC record extended its conference win streak to 26 matches.
After falling in the 2012 CSAC championship game, Schaefer led the Cavaliers back to the top of the conference with a dominant 2013 season. Schaefer led the club to a program best 29-5 overall mark, including a perfect 11-0 in CSAC action. Schaefer earned his third CSAC Coach of the Year accolade as the Blue and White dropped just one set in league action.
Schaefer also helped develop Danielle Carrozza into the program's first AVCA All-American in 2013. The senior had a record breaking season, as she set a school record with 453 kills. She was also named CSAC Player of the Year in 2013 after ranking 11th in the country with a 0.383 hitting percentage. Her 4.36 kills per set also ranked 11th, while tallying 4.78 points per set, 16th most in Division III.
Schaefer received his second CSAC Coach of the Year honor in 2011 as he led the Blue and White to a 22-11 overall record and a a perfect 11-0 in the league. Schaefer reached the 100 career win plateau on September 29 in a 3-1 victory at Neumann University.
In 2010, Cabrini finished the season with a 23-8 overall record. Schaefer begins the 2011 campaign just 12 wins shy of his 100th career victory while with the Blue & White.
In 2009, Schaefer earned his first CSAC Coach of the Year honor after guiding the Blue & White to a perfect 13-0 record against conference opponents en route to the CSAC crown.
Schaefer mentored Stephanie Recklau to CSAC Player of the Year honors in 2009 and 2010. Recklau was named the conference's rookie of the year in 2007. Alexis Doss earned the CSAC's top rookie distinction in 2008.
Additionally, Schaefer coached the boys' volleyball team at Haverford High School, his alma mater. In 2008, the Fords finished second in District I of the PIAA and advanced the state tournament.
Schaefer was thrice named the Coach of the Year for the Independent Boys’ Volleyball League in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
Schaefer also served as the girls' varsity coach at Haverford for six seasons, representing the Central League at the PIAA District I Tournament each year. In 2005, his Haverford girls' team was awarded the Central League Sportsmanship Award.
Schaefer is in his sixth season with the Valley Forge Volleyball Club, leading the 15-and-under team to a regional championship in 2007.
Prior to his tenure at Haverford, Schaefer spent two years as the girls’ varsity coach at Radnor High School. He also spent two seasons working with both the girls' varsity and junior varsity teams at The Shipley School.
Schaefer earned a bachelor’s degree in education from East Stroudsburg University in 1996 and received his master’s degree in education from Wilkes University in 2005.
Schaefer resides in Havertown, PA. He has two children, Kayleigh and Tristan.
