Phelps made her senior debut at the 1994 American Classic in Orlando, Florida, which also served as the trials for the 1994 World Championships. She placed 15th and did not make the team. She attended the 1994 Olympic Festival in St. Louis, Missouri and placed 3rd all-around, plus 5th on balance beam and 6th on floor exercise. At the 1994 U.S. Classic, she placed 3rd in the all-around. She later attended the 1994 Senior National Championships and placed 6th. After doing well and placing 5th in the 1994 World Team Trials in Richmond, Virginia, she was selected to be part of the team to go to the 1994 World Team Championships in Dortmund, Germany, where she won a silver medal.