We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Campbell Flynn.

***

The last six months for Campbell Flynn have been jammed-packed with success and accolades. The 6-3, 5-star setter from the Class of 2025 kicked it off by committing to the University of Nebraska in June, shortly before her Legacy 16-1 Adidas team competed in 16 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships where they finished 21st.

Growing up playing basketball, Flynn started to slowly develop a passion for volleyball. Her mom played in college and by eighth grade Flynn was done with basketball. It didn’t take long for her to realize she could have a future in the sport.

“I always thought I could go somewhere for college,” she said. “I didn’t know how good at a young age because I didn’t know how I would develop, but I started having a ton of passion and when I saw my first questionnaire in the mail it made me think I could go very far.”

Nebraska was one of many top programs recruiting Flynn. It was her dream to play there and it was an opportunity she couldn’t say no to.

“I definitely want to win very bad,” she said. “I’m a very competitive person and it’s definitely a winning program. Another perk of Nebraska is it’s in the Big 10 and I have always watched the Big 10 since a little kid.”

Next, Flynn made the 12-player cut for the USAV U19 roster and was part of the first gold medal for the age group as the team finished on top in Croatia in early August. She was barely back in the States when she turned around and traveled to Mexico to represent the USA in the U21 championships, finishing sixth.

If there was one drawback the busy summer schedule impacted her high school season. All the volleyball in a short time caused her to miss half her junior year at Mercy before coming back for the state playoffs.

“Going straight to school the week after I was fighting a sickness and trying to get back to high school after Worlds I was still struggling with sickness a week-and-a-half later,” Flynn said. “I tweaked my knee a little bit too and I ended up taking a month off before the playoffs.”

Coming back for state Flynn was unsure what to expect. Mercy wasn’t viewed as one of the favorites but with Flynn back in the lineup the team kept winning. The playoff run culminated with a five-set victory over Forest Hills Northern in the Division 1 championship match as Flynn dished out 41 assists and recorded 15 digs. Though she missed nearly half the season, Flynn finished with 553 assists, 137 digs and 124 kills.

It helped her earn the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Michigan.

“It was crazy,” Flynn said of winning state. “It still feels like a dream. Everyone on my team, everyone was having fun while we were playing. To get the state championship it was surreal and amazing. I still keep watching videos of us winning.”

Flynn and her Legacy 17-1 Adidas teammates started the year off taking second place in 17/18 Open at the Nike Classic in Columbus earlier this month. They continue on with the upcoming Central Zone Invitational this weekend in Indianapolis.

“A lot of us have been playing together since 13s,” Flynn said. “It’s just crazy that this is my last club season, but it’s been great so far. We get along really well. It’s going to be a really fun season.”

As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Flynn about volleyball and more.

Who is a role model or someone you look up to?

Flynn: I’d say definitely my parents. They raised my brother, sister and myself to be happy and humble. They are really cool people and I aspire to be like them one day, especially as a parent, when I’m older.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would you do and why?

Flynn: I would do something very low key, like probably a movie marathon. That would be fun and relaxing just watching a bunch of movies.

Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why?

Flynn: I did watch the national dance competition a few weeks ago and that was insane. Their moves were so cool, so maybe a dancer. I’ve also always wanted to learn chess but it’s really complicated. I think I could get the hang of it but I haven’t had the time to try playing chess.

Aside from basic necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?

Flynn: I just got these new HOKA shoes and I love them. I got them for Christmas and I’m obsessed with them. I wear them every day just walking around in them. They are super nice.

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile?

Flynn: Either walking at school and seeing my friends or just starting my day with a good breakfast. I get super excited about that.

What’s one of your favorite ways to have fun?

Flynn: I really like just either hanging out with friends and watching movies or baking with them. Something low key because I’m always on the go and don’t have a lot of time because of volleyball or working out, so I like relaxing.

Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why?

Flynn: I’m very passionate about hanging out with my family, especially knowing I’m going to be leaving for college and won’t be here experiencing stuff with them. I’m making the most of the time I have left here as well as with my friends.

What is one thing that may surprise people about you?

Flynn: I know especially from a volleyball standpoint if you see me play and it’s close I get fierce because I’m very competitive. On a day-to-day basis I am quiet and laid back but in person if you see me play volleyball, especially when it’s close, you’ll see how fierce I am and think I was mean in person when I’m really more of a reserved and quiet person.

If you could live anywhere you wanted, where would it be and why?

Flynn: I have never been to Italy before and I feel it would be such a cool place. I would love to experience a different country and try their pastries and see people and be able to interact in a different language. That would be really cool.

What’s your favorite food or foods?

Flynn: I love Chicken Parmesan. That’s my main thing. Whenever I go to a new restaurant I always get Chicken Parmesan.

What’s your favorite number and why?

Flynn: I’ve worn 2 for a long time so it’s probably 2. But in my family they have worn 33 and 10 a lot. They wore 33 because of Larry Bird. I’m not sure about 10, but 33 and 10 is what my family has worn but mine is 2.