NORTHWEST GLENDALE — Ahead by two games and with the backing of its home crowd, the Hoover High girls' volleyball team had virtually every opportunity Thursday afternoon to close out its archrival, Glendale, in a Pacific League match.
Instead, the Tornadoes gave way to a determined Nitros team, which claimed a 15-25, 24-26, 25-17, 29-27, 17-15 victory.
"We have a tendency to start off slow," Glendale Coach Jennifer Vo said. "But once we get going, we're able to pull through."
The Nitros improved to 6-6 overall and 2-5 in league, while the Tornadoes dropped to 1-8 and 1-7.
After surrendering a two-game lead, Hoover raced out to a 4-1 advantage in the fifth and deciding game. Glendale came to within a point of a tie twice before catching the Tornadoes at 11 and 13 and the Nitros never looked back.