By Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor
It was quite a year for the Burroughs and Burbank boys volleyball teams after they finished one-two in the Pacific League. The Indians won their fifth consecutive league title and advanced to the second round of the CIF Division II playoffs. The Bulldogs made the postseason for a second straight season after reviving a program that didn’t exist a few short years ago.
Together the two programs have raised the level of excellence to a new standard. Burroughs coach Joel Brinton and Burbank coach Patrick McMenamin represent two of the finest coaches at their respective schools.
Recently the Pacific League announced the All-League recipients for boys volleyball. A total of 10 players were honored between the two programs.
Burroughs’ Nick Van Loo and Tristan Martin were named Co-Most Valuable Players while Jonathan Fuentes and Danny Casillas earned first-team honors. Dalton Burroughs and Ryan Van Loo made the second team and Max Chamberlain received honorable mention.
Nick Van Loo recorded 234 kills (tied for fourth most in a JBHS season), 60 aces (second most in a season), 27.5 blocks and had a season high of 21 kills against Glendale (fourth most ever in a single match).
Tristan Martin had 186 kills, made a whopping 97% of his serves (only six misses out of 213 attempts), 12 aces, 15.5 blocks, 114 digs and served as tri-captain of the team.
The powerful duo led the Indians to a 21-8 overall record and a perfect 12-0 mark in the Pacific League.
“To have both of these guys share the Player of the Year award is a testament to the balance that this team had. It is also speaks highly of the hard work and determination that this two have,” Brinton said. “Nick was honorable mention last year and Tristan did not make any part of the All-League team last year, and they both put in a ton of work and trusted their teammates and coaches and earned this honor.”
Other Indian stats included-
Jonathan Fuentes: 122 kills, 118 digs, 16 aces, 13 blocks, passed a 2.22 on the season
Danny Casillas: set new school record with 257 digs in the season, best passer at 2.4
Dalton Burroughs: 170 kills, led team in hitting % at .333, 10.5 blocks, 11 aces, tri-captain
Ryan Van Loo: 31 aces (tied for fifth most in a season), 34.5 blocks, set a new school record with 812 assists, 149 digs (2nd on the team), 46 kills, tri-captain
Max Chamberlain: 167 kills, 37 blocks, 5.5 blocks at Claremont (fourth most ever in a match), 13 aces on the year.
Burbank had an outstanding year finishing 16-6 overall and 9-3 in league. Leading the way was Joseph Servin who was selected first-team All-League. Willie Perryman earned second team honors and Paul Shim was named honorable mention.
Servin set a school-record with 185 kills in a season and had a .244 hitting percentage. He slammed a program-record 15 kills in one game versus Glendale back on April 4. He also had 101 digs, 28 assists, 15 aces and 12 blocks.
Perryman’s stats included 148 kills, .275 hitting percentage, team-best 81 blocks, 51 digs and 12 aces while Shim had a team-high 232 digs and 18 aces.
