Holly Mclean

Meet Coach Holly!

2025 marks 21 years in coaching for Holly McLean. Twice nominated for AZ ALL-STATE Coach of the Year.  Named All – Conference Coach of the Year in 2021. 4X ALL-REGION Coach of the Year.   Coach Holly has 150+ Varsity record wins in 6 years of Varsity head coaching (Notre Dame Prep & Chaparral HS).  A career 0.85 conference win % record.

In 2018, she was on staff with Arizona State University assisting with scout and stat reports, film, and live DataVolley statistics. The Sun Devils recorded three top 25 wins against #14USC, #12 Oregon, and #15 Washington. 

In 2012 Holly founded Ascent Volleyball Club of Flagstaff, AZ and served as Owner/Director for 3 seasons.  The club is still thriving today.  A Scottsdale native, Holly moved back to the valley in 2015.

Outside of volleyball, Holly’s interests lie in microbiome gut health and neuronal disease manifestations associated with gut flora.   Coach McLean received a Master’s degree in Biochemistry with emphasis in Cancer Biology from Northern Arizona University. She’s a 1st author in muscle physiology. Coach Holly has taught anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, and biotech labs at NAU from 2009 – 2015. Her heart for education comes through on the court in her coaching philosophies. 

Coaching Experience

Varsity High School Coach: 

• Led the Notre Dame Prep Saints to a 2021 State Championship & 2020 State Runner Up
• Twice nominated for AZ All - State Coach of the Year
• Named All - Conference Coach of the Year in 2021 
• House of Payne Tournament Champion;  7 - 0
• Led the Notre Dame Prep Saints to five semifinal appearances in five seasons, a 38 home match win streak, undefeated on home court for nearly 3 years
• 4X ALL REGION Coach of the Year
• 150+ Varsity record wins in 6 years of Varsity head coaching, a career 0.85 conference win %
• Head Varsity Coach Chaparral HS in 2017, named Region Coach of the Year - finished the season with the #1 overall ranking in the conference. 

USAV GJNC Bids earned: 

• 14-Open: Bronze medalist Red Rock Rave (2019)
• 16-National: (2019)
• 16 - USA: Silver medalist Red Rock Rave (2018)
• 15 - American (2017)
• 18 - National (2016)
• 4X Triple Crown Appearances
• Triple Crown Bronze medalist in 14-Elite Division (2019)
• Triple Crown Silver medalist 16-Open (2018)

Playing Experience

• 2X MVP and 2X Team Captain for Saddleback College of Southern California, 5-1 setter transitioned to Libero
• Played for Laguna Beach Volleyball Club and AZ Thunder
• Junior Olympics 5th place finish (18s)
• 2X captain & 1st Team ALL-REGION Honors at Saguaro HS
• Set 3 school records in Track and Field and Volleyball (most assists in a single match)
• Multi-sport athlete -- lettered in Volleyball, Soccer, Softball, and Track & Field