By Rick Assad
Burbank High’s volleyball team began its season versus visiting South Pasadena and while the end result wasn’t a victory, the team played well in spurts but still lost 25-19, 26-24, 25-16 in a nonleague girls’ match on Monday evening.
The middle set was entertaining, and it swung the momentum in favor of the Tigers, however, if it had gone to the Bulldogs, it would have been deadlocked at a game apiece and also forced a fourth set.
The set was tied at 4-4 on an ace from South Pasadena senior middle hitter Melody Chavarria.
An ace from senior setter Evan Taylor made it 8-6 in favor of the Tigers (1-0) but the Bulldogs rallied and charged ahead 14-11 on a service ace from Hailey Kim.
Sophomore outside hitter Emerson Chong’s block tied it at 15-15 and a stuff from sophomore middle blocker Samantha Yosh saw Burbank dash ahead 16-15.
The Tigers went on a 5-0 spurt as Chong unloaded a strike that missed the mark and at this point, the Bulldogs (0-1) asked for a time out.
Burbank drew to within 22-20 on a push from Yosh and when Kim drilled a service winner the Tigers went ahead 24-21.
Burbank didn’t back down and tied it at 24-24 on an ace from senior defensive specialist Frankie Kim.
The set was capped off on an ace from senior libero Rian Sanchez.
Sabrina Sullivan is in her first season as the Burbank head coach and even with the setback, knows her team played with determination and spirit.
“We never gave up. I think at times, the gap seemed too big, and we still managed to make a few comebacks and even score,” she said. “We have a lot of potential, but I think the first game nerves got the best of us today.”
The third game was lopsided from the outset as the Tigers scored nine of the first 10 points and led 4-1 on an ace from senior outside hitter Bella Ventura and 9-1 on a kill from sophomore outside hitter Caitlin Watson.
South Pasadena secured a 12-5 cushion on a winner from Watson. The Tigers saw senior outside hitter Maya Gallo serve consecutive aces for a 14-7 lead and a 15-7 advantage.
Ventura’s spike made it 16-9 and Taylor’s kill extended the margin to 21-13.
Junior setter Kayla Yau’s tapper drew the Tigers within 23-14 of the set and Taylor’s spike made it official.
Likewise, Chris Chappelle is in his initial season as South Pasadena’s head coach after serving as an assistant coach at Sierra Canyon for the last three years.
“I am impressed with how quickly our team worked out the challenges together, focused and with urgency” he said. “Surely there’s more to improve…and we will get there.”
Chappelle then added: “I’m mainly impressed as a first-year coach with how the seniors led each other and the rest of the team along,” he said.
The first game was close in the beginning as it was even at 1-1, 2-2, 4-4 and 6-6 before the Bulldogs dashed ahead 8-6 on a mishit from Ventura.
It was deadlocked at 9-9 on a service miscue from Kim but back-to-back service winners from Ventura made it 13-10 and 14-10.
The deficit for the Bulldogs swelled to 18-11 on a kill from Taylor but Burbank rallied and drew within 19-14 on a kill from Yosh.
Taylor’s tapper made it 20-15 and 22-18 on a winner from Ventura. The Tigers then captured three of the next five points that included two service aces from Yau that made it 23-18 and 24-18. The winning point was registered on a serving mistake from Kim.
Chappelle also praised Burbank’s overall class and demeanor.
“First and foremost, much gratitude to Burbank and their entire program,” he said. “Their hospitality and competition were nothing short of exceptional and respectful. An honor to open our season this way.”
