Entering the season, Fountain Hills beach volleyball coach Peter McGloin sidelined the thought of playoffs. He was entering his first season back with the program with the goal of building a young roster with experience and culture.
On Monday, May 4, he and assistant coach Misty McCall, along with a Fountain Hills-faithful fan section, cheered on junior Saedee Smith and senior Lilly Miller as the program’s lone pairing to make the AIA Division II beach volleyball tournament.
While the two were bested by Benjamin Franklin’s Evelyn Vinyard and Eden Nelson 2-0 (21-12, 21-13) in the opening round at Casteel High School, it was anything but glum.
