Q & A WITH DAN GLENN:

When Dan Glenn watches Misty May-Treanor compete, he can’t help but get excited.

He doesn’t think so much about when he coached her at Newport Harbor High. He also remembers the times she made him laugh. He’s also fascinated by the way May-Treanor is just meant to play beach volleyball. Yet, most of all, like all American beach volleyball fans, he roots for May-Treanor.

He wants her to win today, but knows it won’t be easy. Even if May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are favored, they’ll definitely be challenged to beat China’s Tian Jia and Wang Jie in front of their home crowd tonight at 8, Pacific Standard Time.

After May-Treanor and Walsh won in the semifinals, recording their 107th straight win, Glenn answered a few questions about the former Newport Harbor standout who led the Sailors to a CIF Division I state title in 1994, and is now aiming for her second Olympic gold medal.

Question: What was it like to coach a player like Misty?

Answer: She came in as a freshman and was on varsity as a freshman. I have been really lucky to have the great athletes that I’ve had at Harbor. She was just a phenomenal athlete. She got second in the state in the high jump as a sophomore. She played soccer. She probably could have played tennis.

She played that too, and she is related to the Dents [Her cousin, Taylor, starred at Corona del Mar High and went on to become an Olympian and pro].

Q: When you think of Misty what comes to mind?

A: Competitive. She’s always two steps ahead of everyone else. She has a tremendous understanding of the game. Her knowledge of the game, a lot of that comes from her dad [Butch]. She’s been playing since she was very little. Her [late] mom [Barbara] and dad were both extremely competitive people. She is the ultimate competitor. She’s quiet about it, but she is very competitive.

Q: What’s your favorite Misty story?

A: The banquet after the state finals. She went up and did a dead-on Fire Marshall Bill impersonation [the Jim Carey character from “In Living Color”]. I don’t think everyone understands how funny that girl is. She is loved by all her teammates. She just made everyone feel like they belonged on the team. She would just make them feel like queen of the world. That’s a direct reflection of her parents.

Q: What’s it been like to watch her in the Olympics?

A: She’s been so fun to watch. She’s just on a mission. They are playing so well. They are going to have to play the Chinese team. It will be a great match. It’s tough to win in front of all those fans. But if anyone can do it, they can.

I’m just so excited because beach volleyball has blossomed in the Olympics A lot of that has to do with Misty and Kerri. They are great ambassadors. It has meant so much. It gives an opportunity for April [Ross, another former Sailor who plays professionally on the beach] to make more money. She just missed making the Olympics. She’s the best young player in America. She has a phenomenal future. All of that has to do with what Misty has done.

Q: How do you think Misty will be remembered in beach volleyball?

A: With Kerri, they’re the greatest team of all time, especially if they win the gold. She’s going to be the best player of all time. No one can take away what Karch [Kiraly] has done ... Just like Karch, her first love is the beach. She gets to use all her skills. The thing about Misty is she’s never the best hitter or setter, but she’s just the best player. Well, actually, she’s the best passer.

Kind of how you’ll be remembered is what will you do with your teammates. She also has that ‘it’ quality. They have a tremendous chemistry. Kerri is the best blocker. Misty is the best defender.