Her nickname is the Cannon, and she is definitely an explosive force for the Iowa State women’s volleyball team.

Cannon leads the Big Eight Conference in digs per game and is fifth in the conference for kills per game. Cannon is a threat both offensively and defensively to any opponent the Cyclone netters face.

The Cannon is senior co-captain and outside hitter Steph McCannon, and she is this week’s athlete in the spotlight in the Daily’s Cyclone Profile.

Head Coach Jackie Nunez had nothing but good things to say about her left-side hitter.

“Steph McCannon is a very savvy, very smart outside hitter. She’s capable of generating kills with a variety of shots,” Nunez said.

“Steph is the best all-around player I’ve ever coached. She is a master of a lot of areas of her game; be it passing, defense or hitting,” she said. “Steph McCannon is a phenomenal player.”

McCannon started her successful athletic career while at West Point Marquette High School. She led her team to a state title in 1991 and was selected as the captain of the all-tournament team as a senior. McCannon also received honors as a prep for basketball and softball.

Climbing on the success she had as an outstanding athlete in high school, McCannon came to ISU in 1992 and made huge contributions as a freshman to a streaky Cyclone squad.

She led the team in service aces and was second in kills and digs per game.

McCannon continued to improve her skills and led her team, under the direction of newcomer coach Nunez, from the worst record in Cyclone history (9-19) to posting the best ever in 1994 (24-11).

On the way she picked up such accolades as Honorable Mention All-Big Eight, all-NIVC Tournament Team and Third-Team All-Mideast Region.

McCannon made some impressive marks in the Big Eight and in the Cyclone record books.

She finished seventh in the nation in digs per game with 4.73, which was a Big Eight record.

McCannon is only the third player in Cyclone history to hit the 1,000 mark in both kills and digs in the same season.

Nunez commented on how hard McCannon works in practice and that it shows through in her play against other teams.

“Steph is definitely a consistent practice player. She is very self-motivated and determined and that shows through in her match play,” Nunez said.

McCannon is as strong as ever this season.

Cannon has broken the single game dig record with 41 against Colorado.

She is a national leader defensively again for ISU as she is sitting at eighth in the country with 451 digs after the Nebraska match on Oct. 7.

McCannon is also ISU’s version of Cal Ripken Jr. She has played in 211 consecutive games.

McCannon’s success follows her off the court also. She was selected to the first-team academic all-Big Eight in 1993 and 1994.

“Steph has done some great things for us throughout her years here at Iowa State to elevate the program,” Nunez said.