Shannon Phillips' first love was basketball. That was until sophomore year of high school during a volleyball tournament when she changed her heart and mind.

"We were in Las Vegas for club volleyball, and there was a convention center full of courts and so many scouts," she said. "That's when I was like 'Volleyball is everywhere', and I felt it was my chance to prove myself."

And the sophomore middle blocker from Rowlett, Texas has proven herself.

As of Sept. 28, after 16 matches (63 games) this season, Phillips ranks fourth in the Western Athletic Conference in points per game at 4.43, sixth in kills per game at 3.48 and eighth in hitting percentage with 2.64.

The Lady Techsters lead the WAC with more than two aces per game and Phillips has contributed 20 aces herself. She is second on the team in blocks with 0.94 blocks per game, including 21 block solos.

Phillips came to Tech after being one of the top players in the Dallas/Fort Worth area as a senior. She said several factors helped her choose Tech.

"The coach, the girls and the distance, it all fits, it all works," she said.

Support from the Tech community is also a plus.

"It's really neat to have so much support this year and to see so many people taking an interest in volleyball," Phillips said. "The golf team comes to our games and they're great. On campus, it's neat to be recognized as Shannon the Cannon, which is what the golfers call me.

"The crowd's extra yelling gives us more momentum. Definitely how pumped we get on the court also helps get the crowd up. The fans love the long rallies, and we do too, when we win them."

Phillips said when it comes to accolades, like being named twice this season as all-tournament Most Valuable Player, "It's always good to get a feather in your cap, but when we have a 'W' I could careless."

Win or lose, Phillips - voted a captain by her teammates - is a perfectionist.

"There's always that one thing that keeps you going, and for me it's knowing I can do better. My team looks to me to be a leader," she said. "I try to be the talker on the court. When I stop talking, that's when I get lost in my own mistake and have to come out of it."

Head Coach Heather Mazeitis said Phillips' work ethic is strong, as well as her character, which is why she is one of the team captains.

"Her tremendous athletic ability first is what I noticed first, then once I was able to get to know her and her personality, I knew we needed her here," Mazeitis said. "She is just a great person."

Mazeitis said Phillips' leadership is evident on and off the court.

"On the court she is one of our go to players on offense. She is always striving to improve and learn more about the game," Mazeitis said. "Off the court she is one of our leaders but her style is to lead by example."

Mazeitis said the goal of the team is to successfully move forward.

"Our hopes are incredibly high for this season and the future. Last season was rough but only a bump in the road and we are now back on track," she said. "This season we obviously want to win but more importantly we want to put in place the team that will get us to the top of the WAC in the next few years. That is our mission, not our hope for the future of this program."

Phillips looks at the 0-3 start in conference play as a learning experience.

"Conference is a whole new level of play," she said. "We're in one of the toughest conferences for volleyball, but it's good to play against some of those top schools."

The team's goal is to have a 20-win season and compete strongly during conference.

"Obviously we want to be successful in the WAC because we are the underdogs," she said. "We want to show them that the underdogs can do something."

After being a high school standout, Phillips has successfully made the transition to the collegiate level without looking back.

"Everyone is apprehensive to some extent at the next level. It took me all of my freshman year to find my game because you learn so much," she said. "But you have to have a certain amount of confidence, or else, what are you doing here?"