MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — After capturing Class 7A state titles in 2022 and 2023, the McGill-Toolen volleyball team is off to an impressive start in their quest for a three-peat.
The team, nicknamed “The Dirty Dozen”, won the prestigious Boddie Tournament in Hoover last weekend. The tournament was comprised of more than 70 teams from several states. The top-ranked Jackets not only won the event, but went a perfect 8-0 in the competition. McGill-Toolen won five games over teams in the preseason rankings.
“It’s named after one of the founders of volleyball in Alabama, Juanita Boddie and it is the largest it has ever been,” head coach Kate Wood said. “You had to win five matches in a row on Saturday to go to the end. It was great for them.”
The Dirty Dozen will play in another intense tournament this weekend. McGill-Toolen earned an invitation to the Nike Tournament of Champions in Gainesville, Florida with some of the best high school volleyball teams in the nation. The tournament will be held in the new Alachua County Sports and Events Center.