La Velle E Neal: The two sides of Melani Shaffmaster

[Ignatius L Hoops]

Two sides of Gophers' Melani Shaffmaster: power and skill on the court; goofy, fun, loud at home

Melani Shaffmaster, one of the best players on the court for the Gophers, might seem like she's all business. But her roommates and friends know better.

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Set. Serve. Block. Dig. Run the offense. Get the ball to the hitters.

Melani Shaffmaster is laser-focused on strategy, details and execution during games. And her stellar career as the Gophers' setter proves that approach has brought out her best.

Her competitive fire can't be questioned. Those around Shaffmaster, though, wouldn't mind having her occasionally make them laugh on gamedays, just like she does all the time when she's off the court. It's not working, however — her ebullience disappears for those two-or-so hours when she's playing.

"I wish she would show her personality more," said libero Kylie Murr, her close friend going back to club volleyball days in Indiana, "because it is goofy, and it is fun and it is loud. Not everybody gets to see that."