Bucs claim Area 5 crown

The Hoover High School volleyball team came out of the gates a little slow, but did what was expected and claimed the Class 7A, Area 5 tournament championship on Monday as the host school.

The Bucs (35-13) dropped a set to Thompson in the opening match, but prevailed 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-21, 25-15) in four sets.

Vestavia Hills also locked up its spot in the Class 7A Super Regionals by defeating Tuscaloosa County in the opening round before facing Hoover. By that time, Hoover had warmed up, and swept Vestavia 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-13).

In the Vestavia match, Nora Webstier had eight kills and seven digs. Kyra Hunter finished with six kills and eight digs, while Grace Harris -- playing for an injured Spencer Downs -- recorded 19 assists.

Hoover moves on to super regionals, to be held Thursday and Friday in the South Hall of Huntsville's Von Braun Center, where the Bucs will face Grissom on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Hoover must win that match to advance to the state tournament the following week at the Birmingham CrossPlex.