Perry's beach boys received top billing once again.

Their 2026 act followed a 2025 performance in which the Pumas won Arizona's inaugural boys state beach volleyball team tournament. They returned to the center stage Wednesday night when Arizona Interscholastic Association executive director Dr. Jim Dean handed Perry more hardware. 

It was music to the Pumas’ eight seniors’ ears to be crowned the 2026 Division I champs after defeating Highland 3-1 at Casteel High. 

“It means a lot, ending our beach careers with a win,” said one of the seniors, Tommy Henige, after his program defended its title. "It’s a lot of memories.”

Three of Perry's seniors, Henige, Everett Wagner and Zac Tomlinson, led the way at the start, winning the first two pivotal matches after turning the tide.  

Wagner and Tomlinson, Perry’s No. 2s, were down early in Game 1, and Henige and partner Kane Baker were dealt a 21-11 defeat by Highland’s No. 4s, Landon Fisher and Dillon Ogden, in their first game. 

Wagner and Tomlinson trailed 14-8 against Luka Stojkovic and Jack Adams in their first game before turning things around and winning 21-17, 21-15. A Wagner ace, kill and back-handed kill netted the final three points in his team’s first game. In the second game, Tomlinson’s full-extension dig/kill drifted over the net and dropped into a deep corner—a highlight-reel point that pushed Perry’s 2s up 17-13.

But Perry’s 2s (9-1 season record) weren’t done showing off their defensive skills. A one-handed open palm dig by Wagner led to a Wagner line shot for another point and 19-14 advantage. 

Wagner and Tomlinson then finished off Highland’s 2s as Perry’s 4s (7-1 season record) flipped the script. Henige and partner Baker won their second game 21-13 before a back-and-forth battle ensued in the third game against Highland’s Fisher and Ogden. A wicked cut shot by Fisher to his left dropped just inbounds to tie the third game at 10-10.

Highland finished 18-2, won its first ever beach playoff matches and reached its first boys team final with one of the state’s best volleyball coaches, Jeff Grover (far right), at the helm. (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365) A couple of points later, Fisher ripped a set by Ogden to put them up 12-11. But that’s as close as Highland got to winning the game. 

Baker added the final touch, leaving Perry needing to win just one of the final three matches to be crowned champion. Baker’s serve clipped the top of the net before slowly rolling over and dropping cleanly to clinch the 4s match.

“The young sophomore (Baker) got comfortable in the third game,” Perry coach Fred Mann said. 

Added Henige, “We were trying to play a little bit of iso at the beginning, and we ended up realizing if we want to win we have to work together and trust each other in each play.”

Highland’s 3s and 5s won their first sets, but Perry’s 1s, seniors Grey Carter and Tate Higgins, made sure the title was returning to Perry (19-1).

Carter and Higgins defeated Highland’s Preston Palmer and Lincoln Jarrow 21-15, 21-16 to wrap up the boys team beach volleyball season. 

“Tate is super coordinated, and Grey is a stud athlete,” Mann said. “They’ve been playing together for three years.
"Here’s the thing with this team, we have eight seniors, and it’s going to be a rebuilding year next year. But those eight seniors, they’ve put in a lot of work to be where they are at.”

So has Mann. 

Since 2001, Mann has coached in 17 team volleyball championships (11-6 record.) 

His seniors aren’t done chasing titles, either.

Carter and Higgins are the No. 3 seed in the pairs state tournament, which starts on Monday. Wagner and Tomlinson also will represent Perry in the pairs bracket. 

And then there’s the indoor spring season. Perry is the two-time defending indoor 6A champ. 

“We’ve got one more (team title) to go,” Henige said.