Bucs headed in the right direction

Hoover High’s run in the Over the Mountain volleyball tournament was cut short last weekend.

The Bucs went 2-1 in their pool, defeating Fairhope and Brookwood (GA) and losing to Providence Christian, to advance them into the gold bracket.

However, Hoover fell to Spanish Fort in straight sets, eliminating the Bucs.

“The girls are playing hard, but everything is just off a little bit,” head coach Chris Camper said. “But we’re still headed in the right direction.”

Now that the Bucs have hosted the Juanita Boddie and Over the Mountain tournaments this fall, their focus is now set on being able to host another; the Class 7A, Area 5 tournament.

Hoover is 2-0 in area play, having knocked off Tuscaloosa County and Thompson already. The next two area matches for the Bucs are against Vestavia Hills, a team on the rise under Mandy Burgess.

“The concept is if we keep winning, we can host,” Camper said.

Some advantages to winning the area and earning the right to host the area tournament are playing in front of the home fans and drawing the No. 4 seed in the area. But unlike some seasons, that No. 4 match will be competitive.

“Our area is pretty balanced,” Camper said. “All three of the other teams can be very competitive.”

The matches against Vestavia Hills will play a large role in determining which team will win the area – likely Hoover or Vestavia. The Bucs and Rebels face off Tuesday at Vestavia at 6 p.m., and then Oct. 4 at Hoover.

Towards the end of next week, the Bucs will take to the road and travel to Orlando, Florida, for the Swing for the Cure Tournament.

The area tournament is set for Oct. 17, and Hoover looks to continue improving to make the most of the postseason.