She made history as the youngest player to ever compete for the USA Women’s National Team at age 17 in 1987 when she won bronze at the Pan-American Games. She was the 1986 California State HS VB Player of the Year and All-CIF in volleyball and basketball at Artesia HS. She trained under Molly Kavanagh at Tiger Volleyball Club. At age 18 in 1988, the 6-4 Phipps became the youngest VB Olympian at the Seoul Games when she started 5 matches. After winning bronze at the 1989 NORCECA event, she turned pro and played 15 seasons in Italy, dominating with 8 Italian Championships and 4 Cup of Champions titles. At age 33, she made a spectacular return to USA volleyball to win a silver medal at the 2002 World Championships and a bronze at the 2003 FIVB World Grand Prix and World Cup. She helped secure the USA spot for the 2004 Athens Olympics by winning gold at the 2003 NORCECA Games. She was part of the USA 5th place finish in Athens after a bronze medal at the 2004 FIVB World Grand Prix. Her 16-year Olympic competition gap is still the USA Volleyball longest. After retiring she opened the Keba Phipps Volleyball Academy in Atlanta, Chicago, and Florida and today she owns and operates Legacy One VB Club in Northern California.