Michigan High School Volleyball: CAMPBELL FLYNN NAMED 2024-25 GATORADE NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

 

Posted Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025

   In its 40th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes for excellence on the field of play, in the classroom and in their communities, Gatorade announced Farmington Hills Mercy senior Campbell Flynn is the 2024-25 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year, in a ceremony at the school on Friday, Jan. 10.

   Flynn, 6-foot-3, joins an all-star group of former Gatorade National Volleyball Players of the Year who have combined for more than 91 gold medals and 13 NCAA national championships. Flynn was selected from more than half a million student athletes who play high school volleyball nationwide. 

   Three-time Olympic medalist and former Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year April Ross surprised Flynn with the trophy at school surrounded by her family, coaches and teammates. Following the surprise, Flynn got a taste of the pro athlete experience with a styling session, photo shoot and media interviews. 

   Flynn was also named Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year for the second straight year.

   More than a trophy, Gatorade Player of the Year has a 40-year legacy recognizing and celebrating the next generation unlike anyone else, from connecting one-on-one with their favorite pros to first access to Gatorade Drops and participation in community initiatives. From CEOs and coaches to elite professional athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an impressive group of volleyball alumni that includes Kerri Walsh Jennings (1995-96, Archbishop Mitty High School, Calif.) and Ayden Ames (2023-24, Prosper High School, Texas). 

   “The Gatorade Player of the Year program was built to elevate the next generation of athletes, and it has spent the past 40 years doing just that,” said Gatorade Chief Brand Officer Anuj Bhasin. “Campbell was a clear choice for the award because of her commitment to volleyball, academics and her community, and we’re excited to give her this unique experience to celebrate all of her achievements.”

  Gatorade Players of the Year are not only the best of the best in their respective sports, but they’re also role models and leaders in the classroom and their communities. Flynn has volunteered locally with PB&J Ministries, preparing and repackaging food for a men’s shelter serving the homeless population in Detroit. She has also donated her time with the Salvation Army and as a youth volleyball coach. Flynn has maintained a 3.94 GPA in the classroom and plans to enroll early at the University of Nebraska, where she will play volleyball. 

   “One of the most technically proficient signal-callers in the country, Campbell Flynn has run the gamut of influence on her sport during her high school and junior national career,” said Sam Haimann, an editor for Prep Volleyball throughout the 2024 season. “Clearly among the most outstanding prospects in the Class of 2025, she turned in a triple-triple campaign in assists, digs and kills for Mercy this past season in the course of providing incredible floor generalship. She followed up on a 2023 USAV Girls U19 squad assignment, which produced an FIVB U19 World Championship gold medal for Team USA, before moving up to debut with the U21s, then reach the FIVB U21 World Championships that same year. She’s simply a phenom.”

   Flynn finished the 2024 season with 131 kills, 730 assists, and 180 digs, leading Mercy to a 31-3 record and reaching the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 regional semifinals, falling to eventual champion Northville in five sets. Flynn led Mercy to the 2023 MHSAA Division 1 championship with 533 assists, 137 digs, and 124 kills, despite missing 15 games while she was playing for Team USA.

   Flynn played for the U.S. U21 Women’s National Team that won the gold medal at the NORCECA Championships this past summer.

   Only two other Michigan volleyball players have earned the national honor. Mercy’s Jess Mruzik won the award in 2020 after leading Mercy to the 2019 MHSAA championship. Ann Arbor Skyline’s Harper Murray won the award in 2024. Flynn will join Murray playing for Nebraska.

  Ypsilanti Lincoln’s Emoni Bates was a Gatorade National Player of the Year in boys basketball in 2020. Ann Arbor Skyline’s Hobbs Kessler won the honor for track and field in 2021. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory’s Brock Porter won the award for baseball in 2022.

  As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $5.6 million in grants to winners across more than 2,000 organizations.

 

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.

 

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