New Faces: Hoover Volleyball Coach Expects Team to Experience Growing Pains

Kendyl Mitchell

By Rubin E. Grant

Amanda Wood won’t be managing expectations, but her own vexation as she enters her second season as Hoover’s volleyball coach.

The Bucs graduated nine of its 13 players from the 2022 team, which reached the Class 7A quarterfinals and finished with a 35-17 record, earning Wood OTM Coach of the Year honors in her first season.

When the 2023 season starts later this month, Hoover will have a lot of new faces on the court and no doubt will experience some growing pains.

“We lost a lot of experienced players, but we still expect to compete on a high level,” Wood said. “The goal for myself is to remain patient and keep reminding myself we’re getting better every day. I have to remind myself so I don’t get frustrated.”

Among Hoover’s four returning players are three seniors —  middle hitter Kenzie Richards, outside hitter Kendyl Mitchell and right side Grace Johnston. Richards and Mitchell were both voted to the 2022 All-OTM team.

“With nine seniors last year, they kind of let them lead, but this year they have stepped into the leadership role,” Wood said of Richards, Mitchell and Johnston. “All three have stepped up the way I wanted, not just in the big things, but they’re doing the small things right, too.”  

Defensive specialist Sydney Durban is one of 10 juniors on the team. She is the younger sister of former Hoover standout Aly Durban. All but Sydney Durban and Kayla Terrell, a transfer from Helena, played on the Bucs’ junior varsity last season.

“I’m counting on all of them,” Wood said. “I’m really excited. We’ve so many talented kids to plug in. We don’t have a set lineup, so we have competitive practices.

“We’re really big. We’ve got several blockers and four defensive players. I’m very excited to see how we develop.”

The Bucs have to replace All-OTM setter Maggie Harris. Juniors Addison Bentley and Madi Lopez are competing for the spot. “Both of our new setters are talented,” Wood said.

Hoover will open the season Aug. 24 at home with a tri-match against James Clemens, where Wood was head coach before coming to Hoover, and Daphne. The Bucs will compete in Class 7A, Area 5 along with Vestavia Hills, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County.

Wood liked what she saw from her team during the offseason. The Bucs officially opened preseason practice on Monday. She believes they can make another deep postseason run.

“We’re getting better every day,” Wood said. “I can’t be more proud of the way they’re responding to the new expectations.”