MERIDIAN — Jordan Kauffman knew what she was capable of.

She saw the work she put in during the summer between her sophomore and junior seasons for the Butler girls basketball team.

She saw the thousands of shots she put up. The hours she spent working on her ballhandling and defense. The toil she undertook to make herself a better basketball player.

The results of that effort showed for the Golden Tornado in 2018-19.

She emerged as Butler's leading scorer at 12 points per game, as well as its most dangerous shooter, draining 51 3-pointers.

Kauffman was a star.

“I just think I did summer ball (with the Bruins AAU team) and worked a lot on my shot and my skills,” Kauffman said. “By the time high school season came around, I improved so much and was so much more confident.”

Kauffman, a 5-foot-10 forward, isn't predicting a similar jump between her junior and senior seasons.

That hasn't stopped her from trying, however.

Her work ethic also drew the notice of Slippery Rock University women's basketball coach Bobby McGraw, who actively recruited Kauffman.

Tuesday, Kauffman made the decision to commit to play for McGraw and The Rock.

“I felt like after I went up and visited campus that I really liked it and it was where I wanted to go,” Kauffman said. “It was close to home and it just kind of clicked.”

The allure of playing for a rising program at SRU and in a Division II women's basketball conference widely regarded as one of the best in the country, was also a draw for Kauffman.

She was also considering Seton Hill, Clarion University and Grove City College.

“I know I'm going to have to work really hard in the weight room to get stronger and more conditioned for the next level,” Kauffman said. “It's going to be a step up from high school, that's for use, but I'm super excited.”

For now, Kauffman is focused on honing her skills for her upcoming senior season.

“She made such a big improvement between her sophomore and junior seasons that I don't want to set her up for failure and expect a similar jump,” said Butler girls basketball coach Mark Maier. “But she's always working hard. She's playing AAU basketball for one of the best program around and then she's coming to our open gyms — she's basically doing two-a-days. She's put a lot of work into it.”

Kaufman said she thinks she has improved markedly since last season, especially with her already-dangerous shot.

“I think my shot is better from last year and being older and it being my senior year, I want to be a leader on the team,” she said.

Kauffman also said she thinks Butler can make a leap, too, this year.

A young nucleus is back from a team that started the season strong, but faded due in large part to injuries.

“I'm hoping we can bounce back from last year — it was kind of a rough season,” Kauffman said. “We had so many injuries. I was one of the few lucky ones who wasn't hurt.”

Kauffman said playing AAU basketball for Joe Lewandowski this summer has helped her tremendously.

“I've been coached by him basically my whole life,” Kauffman said.

The competitive tournaments the Bruins play in has also prepared Kauffman.

“We play against some really good teams and you have to be at the top of your game all the time,” Kauffman said.

Butler's WPIAL 6A section isn't all that dissimilar.

“I enjoy that, though,” Kauffman said. “I'd rather play against good teams every night than just show up and beat someone easily.”