For four years, outside hitters Tim Flanagan and Ryan Thenell have been bookends on the Mustangs’ front line, hammering balls to the floor at a record-setting pace. Flanagan, steady and powerful, enters the MAC tournament match against No. 1 Stevens with 1,226 career kills. Thenell, the kangaroo-on-the-court-athlete, has added 713 kills over the past four seasons.

Together they have set the tone for a program seeking to take the next step and qualify again for the NCAA Division III national tournament. It has been a long fun road together for the pair of “brothers.”

Over the last four years, the pair have added numerous accolades and accomplishments to their storied careers. Not to mention tons of matches and hundreds of sets. One match that sticks out for the both of them was a grueling seven hour tri-match against Stevens and Randolph-Macon College.

It is going into the fifth set of a tight match against RMC at Owings Mills Gymnasium earlier this season, and the Stevenson men’s volleyball team huddles to discuss strategy. In the huddle, outside hitter Tim Flanagan takes over.

“Come on, guys!” Flanagan yells, his normal calm demeanor giving way to the urgency of the moment. “They can’t compete with us. If we take care of our business, we win this.”

To Flanagan’s right sits fellow senior OH Ryan Thenell, the Lou Gehrig to Flanagan’s Babe Ruth. His Sancho Panza. Thenell nods in agreement, then adds a forceful “Lets go!”

The huddle breaks, the team takes the floor. Flanagan and Thenell finish off Randolph-Macon, and the team celebrates on the court.

This game was one to remember for Flanagan as he set a a school record with 36 kills in a five-set match. His kill mark landed him in a tie for sixth all-time in Division III history and was just seven off the NCAA records. It was just one of the many accolades and accomplishments Flanagan and Thenell achieved not only on the courts indoors but also on the beach.

The pair were members of the men’s beach volleyball team a team that was created in 2022; this past season, however, was one to remember as they captured Stevenson’s first men’s beach volleyball ACVA national championship.

In short, Flanagan and Thenell are Stevenson volleyball’s “brothers with arms.”

From Picnic to Passion: How Tim Flanagan Found Volleyball by Chance

Some athletes are born into their sport. Others discover it through years of trial and error. But for Tim Flanagan, it all began unexpectedly—at a church picnic when he was in third grade.

It was a laid-back afternoon filled with games, food, and conversation. Among the activities that day was a volleyball net, loosely strung across a grassy field. Tim, full of energy and curiosity, wandered over and started hitting the ball around with some other kids. It wasn’t anything serious—just fun. But someone noticed.

Unbeknownst to Tim, the middle school volleyball coach happened to be at the picnic, watching quietly from the sidelines. Something about the way Tim moved—the coordination, the instinct—stood out. After observing for a few minutes, the coach approached Tim’s mom with a simple, powerful message:

“He needs to play volleyball.”

That moment changed everything.

At the time, Tim didn’t fully understand the significance of what had just happened. But from that day forward, volleyball started to take root in his life. Encouraged by the coach’s words and supported by his family, Tim began playing more seriously, joining teams and learning the fundamentals.

As he got older, one person in particular helped keep him on that path—his sister. Already a dedicated volleyball player herself, she showed Tim what commitment to the sport looked like. Whether it was going to her practices, watching her matches, or hearing her talk about her love for the game, Tim found constant inspiration in her example.

Her influence pushed him to keep going, especially as the sport got more competitive. Through middle school and into high school, volleyball became more than just an activity—it became Tim’s passion.

What started as a spontaneous game on a summer afternoon turned into something much bigger. Tim Flanagan’s volleyball journey began by chance, but it was shaped by encouragement, family, and a moment that could’ve easily been missed.

How Backyard Volleyball Sparked a Passion for Ryan Thenell

From a young age, Ryan Thenell was always on the move.

“Growing up, I was a very active kid,” Ryan said. “I played sports my entire life and took great pride in that, while my brother was always the smart one between us.”

Sports weren’t just a hobby—they were woven into the fabric of his everyday life. Whether it was soccer, basketball, or anything competitive, Ryan thrived on the field and took pride in being the athletic one in the family.

His younger brother, on the other hand, was known as the “smart one” between them.  While their interests didn’t often overlap, that changed the day their high school announced the start of an indoor volleyball team.

To Ryan’s surprise, his brother was the first to sign up.

That was all the motivation Ryan needed. If his brother was going to give volleyball a shot, then so was he.

What started casually as backyard games quickly became something more. Ryan, his brother, and their dad—who had played volleyball in his 20s—began playing outside together after school.

The simplicity of those games—barefoot in the grass, the sun starting to set—hid something deeper: a growing love for the game. Ryan wasn’t just hitting the ball around anymore. He was learning, improving, and falling in love with a new kind of challenge.

“It started with me just playing outside with him and my dad, who had played in his early 20s,” Ryan said. “I then began competing in grass doubles tournaments with my dad and got fairly good for my age.”

Before long, Ryan began entering local grass doubles tournaments with his dad. Playing as a team pushed him even further. At first, the competition was tough. But Ryan learned fast, and it didn’t take long before he was winning matches and standing out for his age. The connection between father and son deepened with every game, and Ryan’s confidence soared.

By the time he reached high school, word of his talent had spread. The varsity volleyball coach had heard enough about Ryan’s skills to offer him a shot at trying out alongside upperclassmen. For Ryan, that invitation was a turning point. Competing with experienced players didn’t intimidate him—it motivated him. On that court, he wasn’t just an athlete anymore. He saw his potential. He saw what he could become.

What began as a way to spend time with his brother and dad quickly evolved into a passion that would define much of Ryan Thenell’s high school experience. And it all started in the backyard—with a ball, a net, and a spark of curiosity that turned into something much greater.

Forged in Fire: A Friendship Built on Trust and Respect

The story of Ryan and Tim is also a story of friendship—a deep, enduring bond that stretches far beyond the court.

“Tim is like a brother to me. We have watched each other grow as players and as people over the last seven years,” Ryan said. “He inspires me to be a better man, a better student, and a better overall person. His work ethic and commitment to excellence have only pushed me to improve in all aspects of life. I am extremely grateful for the lifelong friendship Tim and I have built. Both I and Stevenson University are lucky to have Tim—not only is he an incredible person, but he’s also a true leader who inspires those around him to pursue success.

“We’ve watched each other grow as players and as people over the last seven years.”

In a world where competitiveness can often divide teammates, Ryan and Tim found unity. They pushed each other, inspired each other, and above all, respected each other.

That respect runs both ways.

“Playing beach and indoor with Ryan has been one of the best parts of my experience at Stevenson,” Tim said.

Their chemistry became a cornerstone of Stevenson’s volleyball success, their mutual trust and commitment setting the tone for a team culture that emphasized both excellence and heart.

“He was the biggest reason I chose this school,” Tim said about Ryan. “You can imagine how special it’s been to be on the court with him all these years.”