Bucs reach state final four again - HooverSun.com

by KYLE PARMLEY

October 29, 2024

10:41 PM

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Photo by Savannah Schmidt

Hoover's Aliyah Pooler (4) spikes the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct, 29, 2024.

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Hoover fans cheer on the team during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Amelia Browne (8) celebrates a play during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Madi Lopez (9) dives for the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover players Abby Tingle (2) and Madeline Splawn (11) block the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Abby Tingle (2) spikes the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover bench motions "out" during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Kayla Terrell (17) joins the huddle during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Layla Smith (5) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover's Olivia Guenster (1) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Photo by Savannah Schmidt

Hoover's Aliyah Pooler (4) spikes the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Photo by Savannah Schmidt

Hoover's Aliyah Pooler (4) celebrates a play during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Abby TIngle (2) gets set up for a hit during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham Crossplex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover fan section cheers during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Amelia Browne (8) hits the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Madi Lopez (9) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover HC Amanda Wood talks to her team during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Aliyah Pooler (4) hits the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Layla Smith (5) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Sophia Shofner (6) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Layla Smith (5) cheers on her team during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover team celebrates set win during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover fan section celebrates during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Addison Jenkins (13) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Sydney Durban (10) calls the ball 'out' during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Olivia Guenster (1) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Sydney Durban (10) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Madeline Splawn (11) celebrates a play during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover team celebrates a great playduring the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover team huddles during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Amelia Browne (8) bumps the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover players Sydnie Broom (15) and Madi Lopez (9) block the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Madi Lopez (9) embraces her teammate after they advance to the final four during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Hoover player Sydney Durban (10) dives for the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Photo by Savannah Schmidt

Hoover player Addison Jenkins (13) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Photo by Savannah Schmidt

Hoover player Sydney Durban (10) dives for the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

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Photo by Savannah Schmidt

Hoover player Layla Smith (5) serves the ball during the Elight Eight Class 7A State volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 29, 2024.

The Hoover High School volleyball team was not a one-hit wonder. After a run to the state final four last fall, the Bucs followed up with a repeat performance this season.

The Bucs made it to the Class 7A semifinals Tuesday, wishing they could have gone further but knowing they capped off a strong season.

“Last year, no one expected us to be here, because we graduated such a large class [the year before],” Hoover head coach Amanda Wood said. “This year, it was one goal to get back to the elite eight, make it to the final four, and push forward. We came up a little short.”

Hoover defeated Enterprise on Tuesday morning in the opening round at the Birmingham CrossPlex, winning in straight sets, 25-23, 25-21, 26-24.

Layla Smith led the charge in that match, going for 19 kills. Sydney Durban finished with 40 digs on defense. Madi Lopez had 10 digs and 20 assists, and Addison Jenkins finished with 16 assists.

But in the semifinals, the two-time defending state champion proved too much. McGill-Toolen knocked off the Bucs in four sets, 25-21, 30-32, 25-21, 25-20.

Durban had 18 digs in the match, Smith had 14 kills, Aliyah Pooler finished with seven kills, Lopez notched 15 assists and Jenkins added 12 assists.

Hoover put together a strong season, and was particularly strong in the middle stretch of the season. After a lull toward the end of the regular season, the Bucs won the area tournament and finished second in the North Super Regional the week prior.

This senior class is another big one. Olivia Guenster, Smith Sophia Shofner, Amelia Browne, Lopez, Durban, Madeline Splawn and Kayla Terrell capped off their Bucs careers.

“It’s going to be a big chunk gone, but there’s a good core group coming back,” Wood said. “I hope people count us out again.”

by KYLE PARMLEY

October 29, 2024

10:41 PM