Incoming freshman and outside hitter Mary Shaffer brings an ACC pedigree when she joins the Virginia volleyball program this fall. An AVCA High School All-America honorable mention, Shaffer is the daughter of Janie Borcherding Shaffer who was a three-time ACC champion at Duke and still holds the ACC record for most aces in a match with 14. Shaffer is a two-time All-Ohio selection and is the second current Cavalier to hail from Cincinnati, joining fellow outside hitter Grace Turner.
Q: Why did you choose Virginia?
Shaffer: I could answer this question for hours. To me, it is perfect in every way. By being a part of the ACC, we will always be in a competitive atmosphere pushing ourselves to improve and compete daily which is something I love. On the other hand, the academics are so strong I feel that getting an education from such a prestigious school will open tons of doors for me in the future. As well, my teammates are absolutely amazing and I feel at home here.
Q: How did you first become interested in Virginia volleyball and when did you realize you wanted to be a Hoo?
Shaffer: I received my first email from UVA volleyball when I was actually on a visit with another program. I instantly became distracted all day and could only focus on the amazing news I had just heard. From the second I stepped onto Grounds, I was astounded by how pretty it was. I instantly felt like I fit in, and when I went to camp later that summer, I knew for sure I wanted to be a Hoo.
Q: What’s your first memory playing volleyball? What advice would you give to yourself at that age?
Shaffer: My first memory of playing volleyball was when I was in grade school on vacation with my mom. There was a sand volleyball court at the hotel we were staying at and she was determined to teach me how to serve a volleyball overhand. Let me just say it was horrible at first, but after many failed attempts and three days later I finally got the ball over the net and I felt extremely accomplished. If I could go and talk to that little girl today, I would tell her to keep working hard at what you want to accomplish every day because that feeling of accomplishment and excitement only gets better.