A stator vane (100) is provided that includes an airfoil and a coating. The airfoil comprises a polymer matrix fiber composite having a melting point, glass transition temperature, or maximum exposure temperature that is less than about 150°C. The coating is formed over the airfoil and comprises a material that is more erosion-resistant than the polymer matrix fiber composite, where the material is the selected from a group of constituents consisting of titanium, chromium, vanadium, and zirconium, and nitrides, carbides, mixed carbonitrides, oxides, oxynitrides, oxycarbides, and oxycarbonitrides thereof. Methods for making the stator vane (100) are provided as well.