NEW CASTLE, Ind. — Before one of, if not the, state's most highly-anticipated regular season volleyball matches of the year, junior outside hitter Mabrey Shaffmaster admitted that she was a bit nervous.
After all, No. 3-ranked New Castle was taking on its toughest competition of the season in No. 1-ranked and undefeated conference rival Yorktown.
It's a match these teams play every year, but this regular season meeting felt different.
With both teams now in Class 4A, paired in the same sectional and considered two of the best teams in the state after each winning state championships in 2018, this match appeared bigger than some of the other regular season opponents on each team's schedule.