The Herbert Hoover volleyball team remembered what happened a year ago in the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center -- falling short in the WVSSAC state tournament title match to Bridgeport in four sets.

That bitter taste in the Huskies' mouths fueled their run all the way to Thursday's Class AAA state final against No. 2 seed Shady Spring.

Top-seeded Herbert Hoover made sure Thursday's memories would be happier by downing the Tigers in five sets, 3-2 (23-25, 25-12, 25-19, 21-25, 15-13).

The victory on Thursday marks the Huskies' first-ever title after having been runners-up three times -- in 1996, 2013 and 2024.

Emotions flooded Hoover, especially coach Missy Smith, who completed her first season leading the Huskies. After celebrating following the five-set victory, Hoover rushed to

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