By Rubin E. Grant
There was never any doubt Hoover senior Sydney Durban would become a volleyball player.
Her mother, Michelle Durban, played at Indiana, coached at the high school and collegiate level and now works in the Samford athletics department.
Her sister, Aly Durban, who is four years older, was a star player at Hoover and played a year at Samford before deciding to concentrate on her studies.
So, Sydney Durban had no choice.
“I have been playing volleyball my whole life,” she said. “I played one year of softball, but volleyball is my sport, especially since I started playing club volleyball.”
Unlike her mom and sister, who were both setters, Sydney Durban became a defensive specialist.
“I wanted to take my own path and do something different,” she said. “My sister was a really good setter, but I wanted to be a really good libero.”
Durban tried other positions before deciding she preferred the back row.
“In my eighth-grade club year, I tried hitting, but I decided I was better suited for libero,” she said. “I came back my freshman year and played outside, but then I went back to libero because my ultimate goal was to be recruited for college, and libero offered me the best chance for that. Plus, I love libero.”
The 5-foot-6 Durban has become one of the best liberos in the state. She tallied 730 digs and 81 assists during the 2023 season to earn All-OTM honors.
In July, she totaled 16 digs in the AHSAA’s North-South Volleyball All-Star game, helping the North pull out a 3-2 victory at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl MultiPlex.
Hoover coach Amanda Wood noticed early on that Durban had special skills.
“I pulled her up from JV because she was really surprising me with the way she practiced,” Wood said. “It was at a higher level and she had a competitive nature.
“I think her drive and passion for the routine things, such as practice and doing the small things on the court, is what makes her dangerous as a competitor. She has great passing skills and serve-receive range, and on defense she can cover ground. She has the best setting hands of any libero I’ve had.”
Durban will play volleyball in college. She recently committed to the University of Alabama Huntsville.
“I think that’s the best fit for me, both athletically and academically,” she said. “I want to study engineering, and they have a great engineering program.
“When I went to visit, I got to practice with the team and loved it.”
With her college decision behind her, Durban is focused on her final season with the Bucs. Hoover opens the 2024 season at 6 p.m. Thursday at home against Daphne.
The Bucs reached the Class 7A semifinals in 2023 before being eliminated by Bob Jones and finishing with a 30-24 record.
Hoover will compete in Area 6 this season with Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Oak Mountain, Tuscaloosa County and Thompson.
Durban believes Hoover can make another run at the title, considering they have plenty of experience on hand. She is one of nine seniors on the roster. The others are Olivia Guenster, Addison Bentley, Sophia Shofner, Madi Lopez, Madeline Splawn, Kayla Terrell, Amelia Brown and Layla Smith.
“They’re like my best friends,” Durban said. “Half of them I grew up playing with my whole life.
“Obviously, our goal is to win the state championship. I think we have lot of tools to do that. But all have to do our part.”
