Shelly Fanning

Personal: Fanning credits Baylor head volleyball coach Ryan McGuyer as someone who has made a significant difference in her life. She shares her life with a beloved dog named Stella. During her childhood, Fanning was not only involved in volleyball but also competed in equestrian and track and field. She added to her talents by playing the piano. Her hobbies include horseback riding, spending quality time with family and friends, working out, being outdoors, and playing beach volleyball. The number 97 on her jersey holds a special significance, representing the year of her birth. Fanning graduated from Baylor with a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in sports management. She is the youngest of three children in her family, and her dynamic personality and impressive achievements continue to make her a standout athlete both on and off the court.

Other Professional Experience: Fanning's professional volleyball journey began in 2020, and she has since played for an impressive five different teams, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the game. Her recent stint included playing for Criollas de Caguas during the 2022-23 campaign after her time with Changas de Naranjito. She embarked on her professional career with Indias de Mayagüez in Puerto Rico and also gained valuable experience playing in Poland.

International Experience: Fanning was a member of the United States Collegiate National Team in both 2015 and 2016, further underscoring her talent and commitment to the sport.

At Baylor: Fanning was a standout player and a five-year letter winner. She made her mark by appearing in 121 matches from 2015 to 2019, showcasing her resilience and dedication. Notably, she earned a redshirt year during the 2016 season. Fanning's college achievements are truly remarkable. She was a three-time AVCA All-America performer, receiving First-Team honors as a redshirt senior. She also secured three AVCA All-Region Team selections and became the first player in Baylor history to earn All-Big 12 Conference distinction four times, including three First-Team commendations. Her exceptional skills were further recognized with unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 picks in her final two seasons. Academically, Fanning shone as well, earning the title of Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year in both 2018 and 2019. She received seven career Big 12 weekly awards and was a Second-Team CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient in 2019. Her contributions to Baylor were celebrated by being named the Defender of the Decade by the Waco Tribune-Herald. Fanning's impact on the volleyball court extended to setting school records. She is Baylor's career leader with a remarkable .347 hitting percentage and owns the Baylor single-match record for hitting percentage in a five-set match with a stellar .714 mark, achieved with 20 kills and no errors on 27 attempts against West Virginia on October 13, 2018. She also boasts three of the top four single-season hitting percentage marks in Baylor history, including a school-record .397 mark in 2018. In total blocks, she ranks ninth in Baylor with 415. Her dedication to both athletics and academics is evident through her three-time recognition as an Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection. Alongside her college teammate Yossiana Pressley, who is also an Athletes Unlimited Volleyball athlete, Fanning contributed to her team's success, including four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and Baylor's first No. 1 AVCA ranking in program history during the 2019 campaign.