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Nebraska signee Campbell Flynn named National Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year

Abby Barmore HuskerOnlineby:Abby Barmore•about 9 hours•

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Nebraska volleyball Campbell Flynn
Nebraska volleyball Campbell Flynn named Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year (Photo by Joe Greer)

Setter Campbell Flynn was named the National Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year on Friday, Jan. 10. The incoming Nebraska Volleyball freshman was surprised by her family, friends and three-time Olympic medalist April Ross at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Flynn was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year on Thursday, Jan. 9. She earned the honor after the 2023-24 season as well. The National Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year is awarded to the top high school volleyball player who upholds a high standard on the court and in the classroom. Flynn maintained a 3.94 GPA at Mercy.

On Friday morning, Flynn entered her high school gym, which was filled with her loved ones, and was presented with the national honor by Ross. Ross won the prostegous honor in 1999-2000.

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“I walked in, and I was so shocked seeing April holding the Gatorade trophy, and then I hugged everyone down the line,” Flynn said.

“It means so much,” she said of winning the award. “Just being on the plaque with such amazing athletes from everywhere is crazy and surreal.”

The 6-foot-2 setter said she has often watched Ross play in the Olympics, and it was “crazy” to have her present the honor. Many athletes have had similar experiences when Ross presented the honor to them.

‘It’s a no-brainer,” Ross said. “In my mind, it’s the biggest award a volleyball player can win in high school, and to be the one presenting it is such an honor, and I get to relive it every time I go and do it. It was such a special experience for me when I was in high school. I love seeing the reactions, how shocked every winner is, and all the support they have from their teammates and their families. It’s a very special honor for me.”

Flynn’s highly awarded senior season

Flynn also earned the MaxPreps’ Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year and was the 2024 MIVCA Miss Michigan Volleyball.

She helped Mercy to a 29-3 season. The Marlins fell in the first round of the Michigan Division I state tournament. They lost in five close sets to Northville, the 2024 Division I champions. Mercy won the state title in 2023.

Flynn averaged a career-high 8.7 assists per set with 295 assists as a senior. The PrepVolleyball.com First Team All-American added 1.6 kills and 2.4 digs per set in her final season. During her time at Mercy, Flynn recorded 1,973 assists, 679 digs, 234 aces and 114 blocks.

“Obviously, she’s an amazing volleyball player, and the more I talk with her and her family and learn about her, it’s apparent she’s an amazing human and does well in the classroom,” Ross said. “Obviously, this award requires that you’re a very well-rounded person and student as well. And she edged everyone out in all those categories.”

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Flynn is the top setter in the Class of 2025 and the No. 5 overall prospect, according to PrepVolleyball.com.

Ross, like many, believes Flynn has the tools to be successful at the college level and beyond.

“No. 1 I have to say, I think she comes off as very humble, which is important. You don’t want to think that you know it all, or just because you won this award, you’ve made it, you don’t have to work hard anymore, or anything like that,” the three-time Olympian said.

“I was telling her, when she goes to Nebraska, she’s going to be with an amazing group of athletes, and she’s going to come in as the newbie, as a freshman, and just to continue working as hard as she always has. It’s really clear that’s exactly what she’s going to do. You can tell that’s the type of athlete and person she is, and I think that’s going to serve her through her years at Nebraska and beyond.”

Onto the next chapter

Flynn is the second Legacy Club player in three years to earn the National Volleyball Player of the Year honor. Nebraska outside hitter and Legacy product Harper Murray earned the 2022-23 National Volleyball Player of the Year honor. She was the 2022-23 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year as well.

Murray and Flynn will be teammates at Nebraska starting in January.

“It’s amazing, she’s already starting to be a little mentor to me, so having her is gonna feel like a little bit of home, even in Nebraska, and I can always lean on her,” Flynn said. “So I’m super excited to get closer to her and learn from the best.”

Flynn also joins fellow freshman Teraya Sigler in Lincoln. Sigler is the back-to-back Arizona Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year. At Horizon High School in Scottsdale, the 6-foot-3 outside hitter averaged 5.2 kills per set and hit .337 to lead Horizon to its fourth straight Class 5A title.

“She’s just amazing at everything, and she’s also an even better human,” Flynn said of her new teammate. “I’m gonna be her roommate, so I’m super excited. I’ve known her for a few past summers. I’ve done USA with her, so just building that relationship I already have with her is good, and it’s a good foundation for the next four years.”

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Flynn and Sigler represented the U.S. Girls U21 Team at the 2024 NORCERA Continental Championships. They won Gold with current Husker setter Bergen Reilly and middle blocker Andi Jackson. Flynn and Sigler also won a gold medal with the U.S. Girls U19 team at the 2023 FIVB U19 World Championships in Croatia. The duo helped the U.S. U21 Girls team finish sixth at the 2023 FIVB U21 World Championships.

Flynn’s journey to Lincoln, Neb. begins with a two-day road trip from Michigan. She arrives at her new home on Jan. 16 and begins college classes on Jan. 21.

Becoming the 2024-25 National Volleyball Gatorade Player of the Year was the perfect way to wrap up her outstanding high school career.

“I just went to UA Next (All-American game), and that was an amazing experience,” she said. “But this is definitely the top way to end my high school career.”

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