Weekend Wrap-Up: Mabrey Shaffmaster acts as consistent presence for UNC volleyball

No. 16 Georgia Tech was on a 4-0 scoring run in the second set on Sunday afternoon in Carmichael Arena.

Coming out of a North Carolina timeout, sophomore setter Zoe Behrendt lofted the ball. Senior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster jumped up, made contact and smacked it down. 

Kill by Shaffmaster. Point North Carolina.

Shaffmaster, a pivotal player for UNC volleyball, helped guide the No. 25 Tar Heels to a 3-1 win over Clemson on Friday. Then, on Sunday, after being down two sets, Shaffmaster spearheaded the comeback effort against the Yellow Jackets that ultimately fell short. Despite this, Shaffmaster's impact on the Tar Heels is undeniable.

On Oct. 28, Shaffmaster earned her first conference accolade of the season: ACC Offensive Player of the Week. 

“For her to be recognized as Offensive Player of the Week, to me it’s like Player of the Week,” head coach Mike Schall said. 

Shaffmaster was an integral part of North Carolina’s sweep against then-No. 19 Florida State and Miami. With 25 kills against Miami, she moved into 10th for most kills all time at UNC with 1,402. She also notched her 134th career service ace, putting her at sixth all-time in UNC history. 

But her impact didn't stop there. This weekend against Clemson, her 10 kills and one service ace helped propel the Tar Heels to victory. 

Shaffmaster is known for her powerful serves and forceful kills. Her serving game is particularly formidable, with a mix of velocity and force that consistently challenges opposing defenses. When it comes to attacking, she possesses a unique ability to read the court, identify gaps in the defense and take advantage of them with precision. 

“She’s a freaking amazing, phenomenal player,” graduate middle blocker Alexis Engelbrecht said. “Her IQ is so impressive, she’s always making shots that just makes my jaw drop.”

One of those plays came in the first set. With North Carolina up 15-10, sophomore outside hitter Safi Hampton received Clemson’s serve. Graduate setter Taylor Eisert then sent it over to the left corner where Shaffmaster was waiting. She launched the ball diagonally and placed it perfectly in bounds. Clemson libero Devan Taylor dove for the ball, but the speed Shaffmaster put behind it was too much to handle. 

“The amount of times I’m like, ‘Mabrey, that was crazy,’ on the court is a ton,” Engelbrecht said. 

On Sunday against Georgia Tech, Shaffmaster posted 14 kills and one service ace. Her aggressive play style helped pull North Carolina out of deficits and gain momentum.

Down five points in the first set, Shaffmaster slammed down a spike to cut the UNC deficit to four. The next play, she did it again, closing in on the gap the Yellow Jackets had built. Despite her efforts, however, the Tar Heels found themselves down two sets to zero.

But in the third and fourth sets, Shaffmaster’s powerful swings were pivotal in UNC's rebound. She ignited small runs that pushed the match into a fifth set. 

Shaffmaster’s relentless energy and strategic placements made her a key player in crucial moments, as she consistently found ways to exploit Georgia Tech’s defense. She called the ball aggressively and delivered well-timed attacks, energizing her teammates to continue fighting until the last play. 

North Carolina ultimately fell 3-2 in a hard fought match but Shaffmaster’s contributions were undeniable, showcasing her as one of the standout performers who kept the Tar Heels competitive throughout the contest.

Shaffmaster’s impact extends beyond just games. Engelbrecht said she is a driving force for the Tar Heels and both the team and its momentum builds off of her.

“I think the team revolves a lot around her energy,” first-year middle blocker Jackie Taylor said. “Her energy repels a lot and she’s a really positive person and always helping the team no matter what.”

For Taylor, Shaffmaster has been inspiring and helpful with the first-year class. She has taken the role of mentor, pulling the team together and being there for her teammates no matter what. Shaffmaster demonstrates what it means to be a team player both on and off the court. 

“It’s nice for her to get that recognition,” Schall said. “But I promise you, she would trade it for a win every day of the week.” 

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