Campbell Flynn cherishes ‘amazing opportunity’ at Nebraska
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (BVM) – Nebraska is one of the premier programs in women’s college volleyball and has been for several decades. The Cornhuskers have won four national titles since longtime head coach John Cook took over in 2000 and had one of their best seasons in program history just last year as they went 33-2.
The program has found a way to bring in some of the country’s top volleyball talent throughout the last several years and will soon do so again with an incredibly skilled 2025 recruiting class. One of the top players among the group is Mercy High School senior Campbell Flynn who is ranked No. 5 nationally in the Class of 2025.
During her recruiting process, Flynn was between Nebraska and last season’s NCAA volleyball national champion, Texas. Ultimately, her dream school won out.
I am so beyond excited to announce my commitment to play volleyball at the University of Nebraska. Thank you to my family, friends, teammates and coaches who have helped me throughout my journey! So excited to be a part of the husker family! GO BIG RED🌽❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/EKiw3ExF7w
— Campbell Flynn (@CampbellFlynn1) June 16, 2023
“It was definitely a little crazy,” Flynn said about her recruiting process. “At the end of the day, I really wanted to play in the Big Ten. I grew up watching the Big Ten and I grew up watching Nebraska. I loved the coaches and I loved the connection I had with the coaches.
“It was definitely a very, very hard decision picking where I really wanted to go, but at the end of the day, it was always my dream school.”
Flynn, a 6-foot-3, left-handed setter, will be a valuable addition for Cook and the Huskers. She will also become the latest standout from Michigan to play at Nebraska, following in the footsteps of sophomore outside hitter and former Skyline High School standout Harper Murray, who Flynn already has a bond with from their time with Legacy Volleyball Club.
“I’m super excited to play with those amazing athletes,” Flynn said. “I really hope that I make a good impact at Nebraska. I’m ready to do what they need me to do … I just hope that I can contribute in a good and positive way.”
Flynn has already followed Murray’s success with a dominant prep career in the Wolverine State and could soon end her time at Mercy with one of Michigan’s highest honors, one that Murray also won: Miss Volleyball. The Mercy senior has been named one of 10 finalists for the award and her strong play in her final high school season will give her a chance to take home the honor.
“It’s just crazy to even be considered Miss Volleyball,” Flynn said. “If I win that, that would be crazy. But just even being considered is really cool.”
Winning Michigan Miss Volleyball would be far from the only accolade Flynn has earned during her career. As a junior, the first-team all-state setter was named Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year.
A big congratulations to Campbell Flynn ‘25 on being named Gatorade Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year!! https://t.co/pdfXr2I9Bh pic.twitter.com/Whol2UozpY
— Mercy Marlins Athletics (@MHSmiAthletics) January 8, 2024
“That was always one of my goals in high school,” Flynn said. “Having the honor to represent that and get that was crazy. I was beyond happy and excited.”
Flynn won the award after racking up 553 assists, 137 digs and 124 kills despite missing 15 matches, putting her at 1,910 assists and 737 kills through three years of her prep career. However, perhaps the biggest accomplishment last season for the humble volleyball star was leading her team to a state championship, something that was a long time in the making.
Growing up, Flynn played multiple sports but decided to fully pursue volleyball by eighth grade. A big influence on her love for the game came from her mom, Shayne, who played volleyball collegiately at Bowling Green State University.
“She got me into volleyball when I was very young,” Campbell said. “I’ve been so lucky to have her, ask her any questions I have with volleyball-related stuff and she gives me tips too. I’m just really lucky and blessed to have someone like her.”
One of the goals Campbell set for her high school career was winning a state title, but a difficult playoff schedule in her first two seasons prevented the Marlins from reaching the state finals. Still, the 6-foot-3 setter and her team grew, setting the stage for a strong 2023 campaign.
“We had amazing seasons,” Campbell said. “Even though we lost, I really cherished them. But I think our practices got a little more intense last year. Our team just got a spark. We really played together as a team and we just had fun together … We just had a fire lit under us.”
Togetherness and high energy led the 32-15-3 Marlins to state. Campbell and her teammates were confident as they made their way to the Division 1 state championship at Battle Creek, and they dominated once they were there.
YOUR 2023 D1 STATE CHAMPIONS🏆 pic.twitter.com/l0ArxNxa88
— Mercy Varsity Volleyball (@mercy_vball) November 19, 2023
“I think that we thought that we could do it, but we were obviously the underdogs last year,” Campbell said. “We just got that spark at the end of the season.
“It felt like a fever dream … We definitely had some learning curves along the way. But I couldn’t believe it, I thought I was dreaming and I was just so happy and proud of all of us.”
The Marlins continue to play well again in 2024 as Campbell enjoys her final ride as a high school volleyball player, amassing 242 assists, 61 digs, 50 kills and 16 blocks through the first month or so of the campaign. Enjoying her final moments at Mercy is one of her goals this fall, but ultimately, she hopes to end the season the same way as last year.
“We all have a collective goal which is winning state, but also, just having fun together and having a fun last senior year,” Campbell said. “If everything goes well and we play together as a team, I think we can accomplish it. There are a lot of people on our backs. We aren’t the underdogs this season. I think we just have to keep our heads high, practice and work hard every day.”
Winning has been at the top of Campbell’s mind throughout her volleyball career. That won’t change at Nebraska where her focus will be helping the Huskers win a national championship, something they haven’t accomplished since 2017.
“I obviously want to win a national championship,” Campbell said. “I think everyone wants to do that. That would be an amazing opportunity. I think that going to Nebraska, that could happen.”
Campbell is no stranger to the big moment that could eventually await in a national championship. In 2023, she had the opportunity to play for USA Volleyball, competing in the FIVB World Championships on the organization’s U19 and U21 teams in Croatia and Mexico. She won a gold medal with the U19 team while finishing sixth with her U21 squad.
“It helped me become a better player and see different countries and how they play volleyball,” Campbell said. “It was a lot and they’re tiring, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world … I made so many memories and friends that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.”
While success remains at the forefront, the overall experience is one of the things that Campbell is looking forward to most as she enters her bright future at Nebraska.
“I’m super, super excited,” Campbell said. “I can’t wait to build relationships there. What they’ve been able to do is amazing. Those girls are so talented on the court and off the court. They’re just amazing athletes. I just can’t wait to experience what they’ve experienced and see what Nebraska is really about.”