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Hoover's Erin Test and Hoover's Caroline Sanford set up a block over McGill-Toolen's Kirsten Carter . Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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The Hoover bench reacts during the 5th game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg sets a ball to Hoover's Caroline Sanford. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera and Hoover's Ali Lowe celebrate after a point. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Erin Test scores between McGill Toolen blockers. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover fans react after a win in game 4. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera returns a serve. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg sets the ball. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Caroline SanfordHoover's Nora Webster try to block a ball from McGill-Toolen's Ryann Sylvester. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera and Hoover's Amelia Novy watch a ball go out. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Amelia Novy returns a serve in the 3rd game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg and Hoover's Caroline Sanford set up a block in the first game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Amelia Novy returns a serve. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg slides under the net after diving for a ball in the 5th game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover coach Chris Camper makes a call. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg in the 3rd game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg sets a ball in the 3rd game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera returns a serve. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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McGill-Toolen's Ryann Sylvester reaches over Hoover's Jamie Gregg in game 4. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg and Hoover's Caroline Sanford set up a block in the first game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Paige Shaw and Hoover's Ali Lowe try to block McGill-Toolen's Elizabeth Burnett in the first game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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The Hoover bench during a time out. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Ali Lowe scores a kill in the first game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Erin Test and Hoover's Caroline Sanford set up a block over McGill-Toolen's Kirsten Carter . Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Erin Test tries to block McGill-Toolen's Elizabeth Burnett in the first game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Erin Test tries to block McGill-Toolen's Elizabeth Burnett in the first game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Ali Lowe scores from deep off the net. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg and Hoover's Caroline Sanford set up a block. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Ali Lowe scores on a kill. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Jamie Gregg and Hoover's Paige Shaw set up a block. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Amelia Novy returns a ball. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera returns a ball. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Amelia Novy returns a ball. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Erin Test and Hoover's Olivia Portera celebrate a first game point. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera goes down low for the ball. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Erin Test and Hoover's Jamie Gregg celebrate a point in the 2nd game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera digs a ball in the 2nd game. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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Hoover's Olivia Portera returns a serve. Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
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0Hoover vs McGill Toolen in the 7A quarterfinal match. Alabama High School Volleyball Championships held at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday October 28, 2015. Photo by Frank Couch.
The Hoover Lady Buccaneers’ volleyball season ended with a 3-2 loss to McGill-Toolen in the Alabama High School Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
The Lady Bucs, runner-ups last season to Mountain Brook, ended this season among the Elite Eight, but couldn’t get past the opener against the Dirty Dozen from Mobile, which took the match 25-16, 14-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-7.
The Lady Bucs put together two strong games, especially the fourth when facing elimination. But overall, the Lady Bucs couldn’t sustain enough momentum.
“It’s a tough loss,” said coach Chris Camper. “It was such a well-played match. It was hard for either team to get momentum. They just executed better.
“I told our coaches that the first four points of the fifth would decide it.”
Indeed, McGill built a 3-1 lead that stretched to 5-1 and then to 11-5 as the Lady Bucs ran out of gas.
"We didn’t serve as aggressively in the fifth as we should have,” Camper said.
“Nora Webster played out of her mind, Ali Lowe played out of her mind. We had some unforced errors, and we couldn’t stop them at the net. Their slide attack was very tough. We made the right adjustments but they could just hit it over us.”
McGill-Toolen coach Kate Wood praised Hoover. “Hoover’s an outstanding team and they did things that really stressed us. I thought they blocked really well. It wasn’t a picture-perfect match, but we showed a lot of grit in winning.”
Lowe had 16 kills, 10 digs, 4.5 blocks and three aces. Webster, a junior, had 13 kills and two digs. Caroline Sanford added 12 kills, 2.5 blocks and a dig. Junior libero Olivia Portera had 24 digs, an assist and an ace. Junior Jamie Gregg had 20 digs and 45 assists, a kill and a block.
For McGill, 6-foot-2 senior middle blocker Elizabeth Burnett had 21 kills, five aces, two digs and a block.
The Lady Bucs finished 34-7. McGill (48-7) advanced to Wednesday’s later round.
