Abby Phillips of Marion is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Phillips, a 5-foot-3 junior, is one of the top volleyball players in the Wamac Conference. She leads the league with 502 digs and ranks fourth in Class 4A in that category.

Phillips has already broken the Marion career record for digs with a full season left to play with the 11th-ranked Indians. She has helped Marion compile a 24-14 record and reach the semifinals of the Wamac Conference tournament this season.

Here is our Question-&-Answer session with Abby Phillips:

MSR: What is your favorite individual highlight in sports?

ABBY: When I was at the USA High Performance volleyball tournament in 2011 and my team was down 17-24 and I served nine in a row to win the game to go to the championship match. Also, I set a goal for myself as a freshman to set the record for career digs. The better I am, the better chance we have to make it to state tournament play.

MSR: What is your favorite team highlight in sports?

ABBY: Defeating the No.1 team in the nation on the way to a runnerup finish at the USA Volleyball Junior Nationals in the Open Division.

MSR: Who has had the biggest influence on your sports career?

ABBY: I've had so many influences on my sports career it's hard to put all of them. First would be my softball coaches when I was in Blue Devils, who taught me defeat is never an option. Then my parents who taught me that excuses are never accepted. Also, all of my coaches in volleyball who supported me every day. Lastly, my idol Kristen Hahn, the Iowa State libero who has inspired me to play big.

MSR: What are your future goals in sports?

ABBY: Some of my future goals would have to be making it to state this year and next with our Marion squad. In club, I would like my team and I to win the national championships in the open division. Last, I would love to play at a DI competitive school.

MSR: What are your favorite classes in school?

ABBY: My favorite classes would be gym, of course. I also love language arts and writing. I can honestly say I am not a huge math fan. Sorry, Coach Paulsen.

MSR: What has been your favorite community service project?

ABBY: I would have to say last year when I volunteered for a second grade classroom and helped out with the students. This was my favorite because I absolutely love children and someday I want to be a second grade teacher.