Burroughs High had already won the Pacific League boys’ volleyball title outright and appeared to be in total command against host Burbank High Thursday evening.
Just when it looked like the Indians were going to make quick work of the Bulldogs, Burbank fought back and forced Burroughs to five games.
In the end the Indians, ranked No. 3 in the CIF Southern Section Division II poll, prevailed 25-19, 25-17, 24-26, 24-26, 15-10.
“The goal is to reach the peak and there is still work to be done,” Burroughs coach Joel Brinton said. “We need to address our consistency.”
Burbank coach Patrick McMenamin was happy with his team, but knows the Bulldogs, who are 16-8 overall and 8-3 in league, also have to improve.
“To be down 0-2 to a team like Burroughs and come back is very encouraging for my boys and our program,” McMenamin said. “We’re coming along. We’re getting better every year. Tonight was an indication of that.”
Burroughs (21-3, 11-0) finished things off in the final game with a kill from Andrew Dalmada, who had 14 kills in the match.
Dalmada came out of the match at times as he said he is nursing tendinitis in his left and tweaked a nerve is his left shoulder.
“I’m going to fight through it,” he said. “I think with the adrenaline running, I just try not to think about it.”
After Burroughs breezed through the first two games, Burbank came back in the third and took the lead at 25-24 following an ace from Patrick Lance that came partially because of a miscommunication by Burroughs defensively.
Burroughs hit the ball into the net on the following play to give Burbank the game.
A kill from Lance in the fourth game gave Burbank a 25-24 lead. Burbank forced a fifth game thanks to a Burroughs defensive error.
Lance had 20 kills to lead Burbank. Andrew Hank had seven kills. Jonathan Tapan had 42 assists.
For Burroughs , Cameron Capili had 19 kills. Bailey Carter had six blocks and Ryan Van Loo had 46 assists.
