Farmington Hills (Michigan) Mercy High School senior Campbell Flynn strolled into school Friday, expecting nothing unusual.
Until, the volleyball player noticed one of the athletes she admires, April Ross, waiting for her in the gymnasium. What was the three-time Olympic medalist doing at Mercy? What’s going on?
Then the “shock” of the moment started settling in. During an impromptu ceremony, Flynn on Friday was named Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year, presented by Ross.
WATCH: Nebraska volleyball signee Campbell Flynn is named the 2025 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
📹credit: Gatorade
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— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) January 10, 2025
“Today I went to school and had News Print, where I was to be interviewed and take a quick picture at our school newspaper,” Flynn said, as reported by The Detroit News. “Really, it was to get me to the gym to get the award. Then, I saw April Ross with the trophy in her hand and my family and friends all around her.
“I was in shock. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. It’s just crazy to receive it from April. I watched her play countless times in the Olympics.”
A 6-foot-3 setter, Flynn registered 730 assists. 180 digs, 131 kills and a .394 hitting percentage, leading the Marlins to a 31-3 record. As a junior, Flynn led the program to a 2024 Division 1 state championship.
Receiving the trophy from Ross topped the surprise party. Ross shared a few tips.
“She gave me advice, telling me to go to class in college, even when I’m tired from the morning workouts,” Flynn said. “She said to recover your body and meet with trainers so you will have a long-lived life of volleyball.”
Congratulations Senior Campbell Flynn the 2025 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year 🏐🏆⚡!!
🔗 https://t.co/ENTSW1dOoC pic.twitter.com/QI9VR1bgxo
— Mercy High School MI (@MercyHighMI) January 10, 2025
Flynn, a Nebraska commit, earned a NORCECA Championships gold medal as a member of the U.S. under-21 Women’s National Team last summer.
The third player from Michigan to earn the sport’s highest individual honor since 2020, joining Ann Arbor Skyline’s Harper Murray (2023) and Mercy’s Jess Mruzik (2020).
“It just shows that Michigan is a dominant state for volleyball,” Flynn said. “It shows really good volleyball players come out of Michigan and even better human beings.”
