#3
Shelly Fanning
6′2″Cypress, Texas
Shelly Fanning

Position: Middle Blocker
Height: 6'2"
College: Baylor
Hometown: Cypress, Texas

PVF Transactions: Signed a contract with the Atlanta Vibe prior to the 2024 inaugural season (5/31/23). Signed a contract with the Atlanta Vibe (6/30/24). 

Professional Experience

  • Atlanta Vibe - 2024
    • Led the team with 48 total blocks, 105 block touches and 1.2 block touches per set in the regular season
    • Ranked third on the team with 164 kills and 396 total attacks, the most of any of the Vibe's middle blockers
    • Hit above .300 in nine matches and scored double-digit points on 12 occasions
    • Helped lead the Vibe to a league-best 19-5 record to give Atlanta the first PVF Regular Season Champions title
    • Led the team with 6 blocks and 7 block touches in the Vibe's semifinal match of the PVF Championship tournament, adding 7 kills and an ace
  • Athletes Unlimited (USA) - 2023
  • Criollas de Caguas (Puerto Rico) - 2022-23
  • Changas de Naranjito (Puerto Rico) - 2021-22
  • Valencianas de Juncos (Puerto Rico) - 2020-21
  • DPD IŁ Capital Legionovia Legionowo (Poland) - 2020-21
  • Indias de Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) - 2019-20

International Experience (USA)

  • Member of the United States Collegiate National Team in both 2015 and 2016.

College Experience

  • Appeared in 121 matches for the Bears from 2015 to 2019.
  • 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.
  • She received unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 picks in her final two seasons.
  • Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year in both 2018 and 2019.
  • Named the Defender of the Decade by the Waco Tribune-Herald.
  • Fanning is Baylor's career leader with a .347 hitting percentage, and owns the Baylor single-match record for hitting percentage in a five-set match with a .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.
  • Contributed to Baylor's first No. 1 AVCA ranking in program history in 2019.

High School / Club Experience

  • Played four years of varsity volleyball at Cypress Ranch High School
  • Led the Mustangs to a four-year record of 113-49
  • Her team finished 37-7 in 2014, winning the District 17-6A championship and advancing to the regional finals
  • Her high school honors include four-time first-team all-district, District 17-6A MVP (2014), Cy-Fair Tournament MVP (2013 & 2014), Magnolia Tournament first team (2013), Magnolia Tournament MVP (2014), Under Armour All-American (2014), Houston Fab50 (2012, ‘13, ‘14) and KHOU News Athlete of the Week (2014).

Personal

  • Daughter of Bill and Holly Fanning
  • Has two older siblings, Mandy and Travis
  • Graduated from Baylor with a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in sports management.
  • Participated in FCA, traveled to Mexico for mission trips
  • In addition to playing volleyball, Fanning grew up competing in equestrian and track and field, and playing the piano.
  • Has a dog named Stella.