Tag Archives: Burbank High

Burroughs Boys Water Polo Wins 19-13 Over Rival Burbank

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By Rick Assad
 

 

In the regular season finale, the Burroughs High boys’ water polo team played with determination and conviction against its rival Burbank and after a comfortable lead through three quarters, held on for a 19-13 win in a Pacific League match on Thursday.

“It was a great game. Very happy with the result. My guys played well today,” Burroughs coach Jacob Cook said. “It was a building year for us. I’m really happy. I think the guys have grown together.”

The Indians played well in the opening half and prevailed 19-13 over the Bulldogs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Both the Indians’ and Bulldogs’ season will continue as they have the league preliminaries and finals next week.

Senior Chase Legoretta dropped in a match-best six goals for the Indians (11-11 and 3-4 in league), who led 4-3 after the first quarter and 10-5 at the half.

Legoretta tallied two goals in the first and second frames and then added solo goals in the third and fourth as the host Indians outscored the Bulldogs 9-8 in the second half.

“We’ve always been competitive against this team,” Legoretta said. “The past four years I’ve played, we’ve always had good games against them. These games could go either way. If felt good to beat this team.”

Legoretta continued: “In the first half we had all our starters in with minimal subs,” he said. “In the second half we wanted to make sure we got the senior players in because this is our last home game.”

Junior Vahagan Sahakyan tacked on four goals for Burroughs while senior Nathan Gault-Crabb added three. Junior Chet Conlan and sophomore Ryan Jaramillo each had two for the Indians.

Legoretta’s 15-footer with 4:26 left began the scoring as Burroughs led 1-0 and Legoretta’s 12-footer with 24 seconds left gave the Indians a 4-3 edge.

Burroughs led 4-3 after the first period and 10-5 at the intermission. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Legoretta added back-to-back 10-foot tallies including one with 2:26 on the clock in the second period that made it 8-5 with 1:16 on the ticker that provided a 9-5 edge.

A 12-foot loft by Legoretta and 1:35 on timer in the third period handed the Indians a 14-7 lead and Legoretta’s six-foot blast with 5:09 remaining in the fourth frame supplied Burroughs with a 16-8 cushion.

Senior Sammy Lazaar and freshman Xavier Turla each chipped in with one goal for the Indians.

The Bulldogs (8-9 and 1-6 in league) were paced by freshman utility Johnny Agazaryan, who had five goals while senior driver Varuzhan Bilbulyan finished with three.

When Agazaryan scored from 10 feet and 54 seconds left in the initial frame, Burbank evened it at 3-3.

“We started out exceptionally strong in the first quarter,” Burbank interim coach Zachary Card said. “In the second quarter we kind of fell apart. Burroughs kind of landed some shots. Incredible shots. In the fourth quarter we came back. A lot more players were willing to work for their team.”

An eight-footer by Agazaryan with 5:50 left in the third quarter cut the Burroughs lead to 11-6.

Agazaryan’s five-footer with 3:07 left in the fourth period trimmed the advantage to 17-10 and his 10-footer with 2:45 on the clock drew the Bulldogs to within 18-11.

A five-meter penalty shot with 51 seconds left by Agazaryan closed Burbank’s gap to 19-13.

Senior center offense Gevork Kvryan had two goals, while senior driver Arthur Kadzhikyan, senior driver Clifford Roll and senior center defense Artush Gasparyan all had one goal for Burbank.

Senior David Rosales was in goal for the Indians and junior Jacob Shaw was in the net for the Bulldogs.

Burbank Girls Tennis Tops Visiting Burroughs 13-5

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By Rick Assad

 

In the initial meeting last month between the Burbank High girls’ tennis team and Burroughs, it ended up in a tie and games were needed in order to decide the winner.

That day the Bulldogs captured the match and did again on Tuesday, 13-5, in a Pacific League encounter.

Burbank’s No. 1 singles Kristina Kirakosyan went 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 over visiting Burroughs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank, which placed fourth in league and will advance to the CIF Southern Section playoffs, took eight of nine singles points with No. 1 Kristina Kirakosyan, a junior, blitzing through 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 over No. 1 Sandy LeMay, a senior, No. 2 Alice Weber, a junior, and No. 3 Isabella Harris-Bermudez, a freshman.

At No. 2 for the host Bulldogs, senior Johana Faraj went 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 over LeMay, Weber and junior Ayana Coha, who subbed for Harris-Bermudez.

“I was really happy with my scores because I started off losing, but I came back,” Faraj said of her day’s work.

With the first match close against Burroughs, Faraj felt the second would also be tight and it was for a time.

“I thought it was going to be close, but Siya, the first time, she didn’t get that many [points], but now she was really fighting,” Faraj said.

Burroughs No. 1 Sandy LeMay returns a shot against the Bulldogs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank’s No. 3 singles player, sophomore Siya Joshi defeated LeMay 6-3 and Harris-Bermudez 6-2, but fell to Weber 1-6.

Burbank (7-5-1 and 6-5-1 in league) didn’t fare as well in doubles action, but still managed to win five of the eight points.

Burbank’s No. 1 duo of sophomore Jinette Faraj and freshman Ellie Sumera went 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 against Burroughs’ No. 1 tandem of senior Phuong Nguyen and junior Irish Demesa, the No. 2 duo of senior Savannah Dorris and junior Suzy Kim and the No. 3 pair of senior Pranathi Darbhala and junior Vicky Shagriyan.

The Bulldogs’ No. 2 doubles team of freshman Anneke Pullen and freshman Lilyan Hawrylo went 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 as they lost to Nguyen and Demesa, but defeated Dorris and Kim and junior Mikayla Hayes and freshman Lauren Pieri, who were subbing for Darbhala and Shagriyan.

Kristina Kirakosyan on the attack for the Bulldogs, who defeated the Indians 13-5. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Nguyen and Demesa drilled senior Daisy Kim and senior substitute Esther Chung who filled in for junior Natalie Khachikian 6-4, while Dorris and Kim prevailed 7-5 over Kim and Khachikian and Darbhala and Shagriyan won 6-4 versus Kim and Khachikian.

The Indians (4-8-1 and 3-7-1 in league) didn’t make the postseason, but still have one more league match at home against Hoover on Thursday.

“I was hoping to win today,” Burroughs assistant coach Russell Bernhardt said. “Our first match against Burbank was very close. We wanted to get in a win against our crosstown rival.”

Bernhardt went on: “They are a great bunch of girls and they get along really well and that’s wonderful. They support each other and cheer each other on.”

Burroughs Girls Volleyball Needs Four Sets Against Rival Burbank

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By Rick Assad

 

Prior to the Burbank High girls’ volleyball team facing visiting Burroughs on Thursday night in the Pacific League regular-season finale, each had played splendidly over the course of many matches.

The Bulldogs had captured six of seven while the Indians won 11 of 14, so the showdown was expected to be tight.

Though Burroughs prevailed 25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 25-13, Burbank played with enthusiasm, grit and determination, but simply couldn’t overcome Juliana Van Loo and Lydia Grote, who paced the Indians.

Both squads will have its season continue in the CIF Southern Section playoffs which begin next week.

Burbank huddles during a time out in Thursday’s clash with visiting Burroughs. The Indians won in four sets. (Photo by Francesca LaFratta)

Grote opened the fourth set for the Indians, who tied for the league title with Arcadia, by scoring the first four points and the lead then swelled to 7-2 on Van Loo’s spike.

“I tried to make myself really calm,” said Grote, a junior outside hitter who had 14 kills. “I try not to get too over-excited. You don’t engage in the crowd. You don’t engage in other team’s stuff. You just have to focus on your team, your side of the court.”

Another winner from Van Loo made it 11-4 as the Bulldogs (14-15 and 9-5 in league) asked for time out.

Sophomore outside hitter Catie Virtue’s back-to-back spikes then pushed the Indians’ advantage to 13-4.

Van Loo and junior middle blocker Camila Sanchez-Tellez later combined on a block for a 14-4 edge.

Virtue’s dagger made it 16-4 and Van Loo’s winner gave the Indians (23-7 and 13-1 in league) an 18-5 cushion.

Sophomore defensive specialist Lily Rogers added a kill for the Indians, who surged ahead 18-8 and when Grote tossed in a spike, it was 21-10.

“Our motto this year has been road to rings because we want that CIF ring,” Grote said. “I think this is the best team that Burroughs volleyball has ever had. If we play Burroughs volleyball, I think we can do it.”

Senior defensive specialist Ava Cannon’s winner made it 24-13 and Van Loo’s bullet gave the Indians the set and match.

The opening frame was tied at 1-1, 2-2, 5-5, 6-6 and 7-7 before the Indians pulled ahead 14-9 Virtue’s service ace which forced Burbank to ask for time.

Virtue then added an ace that made it 15-9 and Rogers contributed a service winner for a 17-11 cushion.

“We had trouble with the service. Just couldn’t get the ball to the hitters,” Burroughs coach Edwin Real said of the third set. “Shea really started to set a little bit better. I told her to focus on her setting and not so much on her blocking. Just worry about your setting.”

McGovern is a senior setter and the quarterback or point guard on the floor for the Indians.

Senior outside hitter Amaya Broyls (seven kills and 11 digs) then cut the lead to 21-16 with a kill for the Bulldogs.

The Indians claimed the next four points as Virtue added a kill and an ace, Sanchez-Tellez a spike and Broyls hit the ball out of bounds for the set.

“Overall I’m pleased with how the season went,” Real said. “Just that one match against Arcadia was a little dip. We’re a lot better than that now.”

That initial meeting with the Apaches took place on Sept. 11 as the Indians lost in four sets.

Burroughs then bounded ahead 5-2 in the second set after Grote and senior middle blocker Maggie Harris had a combined stuff.

The Bulldogs came within 8-5 on a kill from junior outside hitter Katie Treadway (match-high 17 kills with four aces and 10 digs), but Virtue’s tapper gave the Indians a 9-5 lead.

Burbank moved ahead 13-10 on Treadway’s winner, but it was tied at 13-13 when Rogers served an ace.

Grote’s laser made it 17-14 in favor of the Indians as the Bulldogs asked for play to be halted. An ace from junior middle blocker/opposite hitter Leah Tawil (two kills and two aces) leveled it at 17-17 and then 21-21 on a kill from Broyls.

“We had some good momentum going in,” Burbank coach Karl Rojo said. “I thought our passing was a little bit better. We started executing in the slots we were giving them.”

Rojo said the start in the fourth set made it difficult. “The fourth was tough,” he noted. “They came out with a lot of firepower. We just couldn’t respond back. We need to capitalize on the chances we have, especially our hitters.”

Virtue’s smash made it 22-21 and Van Loo’s kill pushed the lead to 23-21 as the Bulldogs asked for time.

“After Arcadia we knew we had two more games to go,” said senior opposite hitter Van Loo, who finished with a team-best 16 kills. “We’re just going to push for the win. That showed in the first, second and fourth set.”

Van Loo’s service winner made it 24-21 and a mishit from Treadway handed the set to the Indians.

“I think this team is really great,” Van Loo said. “Our passing. Our setting and hitting is consistent. I think we can be even better and we can do well in the playoffs.”

The third game was tied 2-2 on an ace from Treadway and 4-4 on a kill from senior defensive specialist Izzy Sanchez.

Senior middle blocker/opposite hitter Olivia Price (five kills) had a spike that evened it at 6-6, but the Indians dashed ahead 9-6 on a blast from Van Loo.

An ace from senior opposite hitter Jolene Soliman handed the Indians a 12-8 lead as the Bulldogs called for time.

But the Bulldogs outscored the Indians 8-4 and evened it at 16-16 on a kill from junior setter Ashley Eskander (33 assists with seven digs and three aces) as the Indians asked for a stoppage.

Burbank then scooted ahead 18-16 and 19-16 on consecutive service aces from Treadway.

Grote’s tapper cut Burbank’s lead to 19-17, however, the Bulldogs waltzed ahead 24-20 on Treadway’s kill.

Senior libero/defensive specialist Hannah Cericos added eight digs for the Bulldogs.

Burbank Football’s Defense Shines Against Crescenta Valley

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By Rick Assad

 

Two of the four best football teams in the Pacific League squared off Friday night at Memorial Field.

In what turned out to be a high-scoring game, Burbank High’s defense forced six turnovers and parlayed this into a 45-23 victory over previously unbeaten Crescenta Valley.

The Falcons came in ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division VII and are now 6-1 and 3-1 in league.

The defending league champion Bulldogs are 4-3 and 3-1 in league and were led defensively by junior strong safety Vincent Vang, who accounted for four takeaways, including three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Quarterback Matthew Porras running and gaining yards against Crescenta Valley Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Two of Vang’s picks went for touchdowns including a 70-yarder with 8:26 left in the first quarter that made it 14-0 and a 23-yarder with 1:28 on the clock  in the fourth for the game’s final points.

“This team’s got a lot of heart,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “They’re a family. But we’ve gotta finish. We’ve gotta finish. We’ve gotta finish games.”

Crescenta Valley senior quarterback Cole Doyle (11 of 22 for 121 yards) had a rough evening after getting picked off four times and fumbling once.

The Bulldogs, who along with the Falcons are tied with Muir for second place in league, scored on their first series as senior quarterback Matthew Porras (12 of 22 for 227 yards and one interception) directed the team 60 yards on six plays with the capper being a five-yard romp by Porras (71 yards on 14 rushes) with 10:01 left in the first for a 7-0 edge.

“We know that was the narrative they were preaching,” said Colman of the Falcons wanting revenge after last season’s 37-20 loss at Moye Field. “Our defense played amazing. The turnovers were huge. If our defense can make a statement, the offense feeds off that.”

Burbank’s defense forced six Falcon turnovers in a 45-23 win. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Doyle’s 13-yard scamper with just under three minutes remaining in the opening frame sliced the lead to 14-7.

But Doyle’s fumble recovered by Vang led to a 24-yard field goal by senior Andy Cardenas that made it 17-7 with 6:35 left before the half.

When Porras was called for intentional grounding and 10:06 in the third, the Falcons (386 total net yards) came within 17-9.

Burbank then answered when junior running back Isaac Glover (101 yards on 21 carries) scored on a three-yard burst with one minute in the third to make it 24-9.

“We just kept running and the O-line kept doing their jobs,” Glover said. “I think this was the best game we’ve had all season, besides Pasadena.”

With three games left on the schedule, the Bulldogs (429 total yards) are hoping to finish strong, but are also trying to stay in the moment.

Erik Harutyunyan had one of the four picks for the Bulldogs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“We’re going one game at a time,” Glover said of their mindset. “We don’t think ahead. Game-by-game. Play-by-play.”

Crescenta Valley, which will play Arcadia (5-2 and 4-0 in league) in the final week, trimmed the lead to 24-16 with 11:41 left in the fourth after Doyle (182 yards on 24 carries) dashed 44 yards for a score.

A three-yard toss by Porras to senior running back Max Mendieta and 7:05 on the ticker in the fourth pushed Burbank’s lead to 31-16.

The Falcons responded with Doyle hitting sophomore wide receiver Sebastian De Leon (20 yards on two receptions) with a seven-yard pass and 5:30 left that cut the margin to 31-23.

When senior running back Chadz Vang (30 yards on four carries) bolted in from four yards out and 1:55 left, Burbank’s lead was 38-23.

Burbank’s next league game will be Friday night at Muir with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Burbank Girls Volleyball Earns Victory Over Crescenta Valley

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By Rick Assad

 

Two fruitful sets were followed by two that weren’t which made a fifth game necessary on Tuesday night when Burbank High hosted Crescenta Valley in a Pacific League girls’ volleyball match.

The clincher was truly gratifying as the Bulldogs prevailed 25-23, 25-22, 17-25, 20-25, 15-11.

Paced by Katie Treadway’s 30 kills, the Bulldogs played arguably their match of the season according to Karl Rojo.

The Bulldogs needed five sets in order to beat the Falcons. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“This is probably one of the best volleyball matches that we’ve played up until this season,” coach Rojo said. “We had high intensity. We were pretty dynamic with our sets and our swings. Our service team was pretty consistent.”

The fifth set was claimed on a kill from Treadway, who may have played her best match ever.

“I was a little nervous because of the third and fourth sets,” said Treadway, a junior outside hitter who also contributed nine digs and two aces. “I just think we had to keep a good mentality and we all stuck together. It was good that we came back.”

Treadway then added: “I think we kept our energy up and our mentality was the same throughout,” she said. “They were setting me up really well.”

The Falcons pulled ahead 5-2 in the fifth game before the Bulldogs evened it at 6-6 and led 7-6 on a hitting error by senior opposite hitter Teny Noordermeer.

Kayla Pino about to serve for Burbank, which defeated Crescenta Valley. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank leveled it at 8-8 on a kill from sophomore middle blocker Bianca Hudson (six kills) and it was even at 9-9 on Treadway’s spike.

The Falcons came within 11-10 on a kill from senior outside hitter Kaitlyn Karsten, but the Bulldogs then outscored Crescenta Valley 4-1 with Treadway getting back-to-back winners that made it 12-11 and 13-11.

When Noordermeer’s smash hit the net it became 14-11 and Treadway’s spike gave the Bulldogs (12-14 and 7-4 in league) the set and match.

Burbank nabbed the first set, but it wasn’t easy. Tied at 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 13-13, 15-15 and 16-16, the Falcons (16-10 and 7-4 in league) eased ahead 20-17 when senior outside hitter Amaya Broyls’ shot drilled the net.

Burbank roared back and came within 21-19 on a kill from Hudson and evened it at 23-23 on consecutive service aces from junior setter Ashley Eskander.

Carmen Camacho-Platas setting up a teammate. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

When Eskander (53 assists, eight aces, 16 digs and three kills) added a third straight ace the Bulldogs raced ahead 24-23 and then captured the game on Treadway’s kill.

The second set was another tight one, as it saw the Bulldogs lead 9-3 on Eskander’s dagger and three straight service aces.

The Falcons, who came in with a five-match winning streak, evened it at 14-14 on an ace from freshman setter Sydney Postelwaite.

Crescenta Valley forged ahead 18-16 on a hitting error by senior opposite hitter Carmen Camacho-Platas (six kills).

Burbank outscored Crescenta Valley 5-1 with Broyls getting a kill. From there, the Bulldogs moved ahead 23-20 on an ace from senior defensive specialist Izzy Sanchez and Treadway’s kill captured the set.

Crescenta Valley pretty much had its way in the third game after bolting to a 12-5 lead on a kill from Noordermeer.

A tapper from Noordermeer made it 15-8 and the cushion was 19-10 on a kill from senior opposite hitter Grace Holland.

Karsten and sophomore middle blocker Emma Glaza combined on a block for the Falcons that made it 22-14 and Holland’s kill saw Crescenta Valley claim the set.

Burbank led the fourth game 5-2 on a kill from Treadway and 8-4 on a spike from Treadway.

The Falcons rallied and moved in front 13-10 on a kill from Karsten, but an ace from Burbank senior libero Kayla Pino (23 digs and three aces) tied it at 14-14.

Crescenta Valley darted ahead 21-19 on junior outside hitter Lizzy Kerman’s ace, pulled in front 24-20 on an service winner from Postelwaite and grabbed the set on Holland’s kill.

Senior middle blocker/opposite hitter Olivia Price added two kills and junior middle blocker/opposite hitter Leah Tawil had three kills with two digs for the Bulldogs.

Burbank Boys Water Polo Can’t Keep Pace With Hoover

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By Rick Assad

 

For one quarter and then a half, the Hoover High boys’ water polo team held a secure six-goal edge over Burbank.

In the second half, that edge ballooned and became the Grand Canyon as the visiting Tornadoes outscored the Bulldogs 11-2 and raced off to a 21-6 victory on Tuesday afternoon in a Pacific League match.

“I’ve only been working with these guys for a month. They’ve had four years to get bad habits from really a lack of experience,” said Zachary Card, who is the interim coach in place of Allyson Young, who is on maternity leave. “They’re a Division III team playing a Division VI team.”

A five-goal effort by Hoover in the third quarter made it 15-5 with senior David Ashkharian scoring two of his match-best six.

Burbank and Hoover are about to meet in a Pacific League boys water polo match. (Photo by Francesca LaFratta)

Ashkharian’s tally with 4:06 left made it 13-5 and Ashkharian’s goal with 3:43 on the clock pushed it to 14-5.

“The problem with a Division III team playing in Division VI, is they also have a Division III bench,” Card said of Hoover, which is looking to win the league title two out of three years.

Senior Jordan Corpuz, who had five goals for Hoover, collected one in the third frame that made it 12-4 and 5:22 on the ticker.

Junior Hayk Nazaryan added a strike with 5:58 left for a 11-4 lead and senior Artur Khachatryan’s goal with one second gave the Tornadoes a 15-5 margin heading into the fourth quarter.

Hoover’s six-goal fourth frame put the match definitely out of reach with senior Nic Salandi tacking on two scores.

The Tornadoes (11-7 and 3-0 in league) came out in the opening period and seized control 6-2 with senior Jordan Corpuz getting three of his five goals.

A tally by Corpuz with 5:26 remaining made it 1-1 and Corpuz’s goal with 4:22 left pushed Hoover’s lead to 2-1. Late in the frame, Corpuz tacked on a five-meter penalty shot that made it 6-2.

Ashkharian scored two goals in the first stanza including a tally with 2:26 left that made it 3-1 and one with 1:42 remaining for a 4-2 lead.

Burbank freshman driver Johnny Agazaryan scored with 6:18 left in the first period to make it 1-0.

Senior driver Varuzhan Bilbulyan scored off a rebound for the Bulldogs with 1:59 showing that cut the deficit to 3-2.

Junior utility Kourosh Dolatshahi scored for Burbank, which is ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division VI, with 5:59 left in the second that trimmed Hoover’s advantage to 7-3 and senior driver Artush Gasparyan added a goal with 4:15 on the clock that shaved it to 9-4.

Junior driver Edward Bowman had a goal in the third frame for Burbank (8-3 and 1-2 in league) with five minutes left as the Bulldogs drew within 12-5.

Dolatshahi also contributed a goal with 4:01 left in the fourth that shaved Hoover’s advantage to 17-6.

Burroughs Girls Volleyball Sweep Visiting Burbank

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By Rick Assad

 

Over the last seven matches between the Burroughs High and Burbank girls’ volleyball teams, the Indians have won every one, including Tuesday night’s 25-12, 25-22, 25-18 Pacific League win.

The Indians swept the Bulldogs with the help of clean passes. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

With junior outside hitter Lydia Grote showing the way with a match-best 14 kills and senior opposite hitter Juliana Van Loo chiming with seven, the host Indians were dominant.

In the third and final set, Grote opened up with four consecutive kills and Van Loo added two aces.

“In the third set my focus was mainly to play smart,” Grote said. “I knew their setter was front row so I could hit mine better. But I can’t do that without a pass.”

Grote said the team needed to remain calm. “We know what to do and we just gotta focus on our side of the court and not theirs,” she said.

Leah Tawil is about to serve for Burbank. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank (6-10 and 4-3 in league) took a 7-6 lead on an ace from junior setter Ashley Eskander (11 assists and four aces).

But the Indians (7-3 and 6-1 in league) moved in front 12-7 on a service winner from sophomore defensive specialist Lily Rogers, who had 12 aces.

A kill from Van Loo made it 16-10 and a spike from sophomore outside hitter Catie Virtue (five kills) pushed the lead to 20-15.

“We always gotta focus on the opponent and get off to a fast start because it’s a rivalry game,” Burroughs coach Edwin Real said. “Our energy was at a high level.”

There was a slight dip in the second set for the Indians. “We get into the habit of letting teams get runs on us,” Real said.

Shea McGovern ready to unload a serve for the Indians. (Photo by Ross. A. Benson)

The Indians took the set and match on an ace from freshman libero Charlotte Hobson and a kill from Van Loo.

The match opened with the Indians pulling ahead 9-1 with an ace from Rogers and Grote adding three kills.

Burroughs’ lead became 14-6 with a tapper from junior middle blocker Joelle Burras.

When senior libero Caitlin Kim delivered an ace, the Indians marched ahead 18-7.

Van Loo’s kill made it 20-7 and Van Loo’s dagger pushed it to 21-8. The final two points came on a kill from Grote and a tapper from senior setter Shea McGovern.

Burbank played its best set in the second and led 20-17 on a kill from senior outside hitter Amaya Broyls, who had three digs and two kills.

Net play is always crucial. The indians swept the Bulldogs in a Pacific League showdown. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians came within 20-18 on a tapper from Virtue and 22-20 on a kill from junior middle blocker Camila Sanchez-Tellez.

Burroughs drew within 22-21 when Rogers served an ace. Another ace from Rogers tied it at 22-22.

“We were pretty relentless in the second set, not giving up,” Burbank coach Karl Rojo said. “Maybe that five-point run that we let up toward the end of the set really killed us?”

Rojo added: “I thought we did fairly well,” he noted, “but we would have done better if we passed better, obviously.”

Sanchez-Tellez and McGovern combined on a block to give the Indians a 23-22 edge and Rogers closed it out with back-to-back aces.

Junior outside hitter Katie Treadway had four kills, two aces and three digs and senior middle blocker Olivia Price had four kills for the Bulldogs.

Burbank High Girls Tennis Squeezes Out Win Over Burroughs

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By Rick Assad

 

It’s fairly rare when both the Burbank High and Burroughs girls’ tennis teams are ranked in the CIF Southern Section.

On Tuesday, they both were and it showed in a Pacific League match as the visiting Bulldogs and Indians were tied at 9-9 and needed games in order to render a winner.

Burbank (5-1 and 4-1 in league), which is ranked No. 6 in Division II, prevailed 75-68 with enough drama to last a while as No. 3 Siya Joshi, a sophomore, was down 2-5 to senior Savannah Dorris, but then rallied for a 7-5 win that forced the match to be decided by games.

It was so close when Burbank met host Burroughs in Tuesday’s Pacific League tennis match. It was tied at 9-9 and decided by games. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“It’s going to be a close one. I see the finish line. Either it’s going to be 9-9 or 10-8 Burroughs,” Burbank coach Loi Phan said. “We’re both leveled out. It’s a good match.”

Phan went on: “Our doubles are down a little. Our singles carried us. Their doubles carried them.”

Burbank’s No. 1 singles player, junior Kristina Kirakosyan, blitzed through 6-0, 6-1, 6-1, knocking off No. 1 Sandy LeMay, a senior, Dorris and No. 3 Alice Weber, a junior.

At No. 2 for Burbank, senior Johana Faraj, went 6-0, 6-1, 6-0, but Joshi lost to LeMay 6-1 and Weber 6-2.

The Indians (2-4 and 1-3 in league) are ranked No. 1 in Division III and took seven of nine in doubles play.

Burroughs’ No. 1 doubles tandem of Irish Demesa, a junior and Phuong Nguyen, a senior, went 6-4, 7-5, 6-2, defeating No. 1 Daisy Kim, a senior and Esther Chung, a senior, No. 2 Jinette Faraj, a sophomore and Ellie Sumera, a freshman and No. 3 Lilyan Hawrylo, a freshman and Anneke Pullen, a freshman.

The Indians’ No. 2 doubles squad, Mikalya Hayes, a junior and Suzy Kim, a junior, took two of three including a 6-2 triumph over Kim and Uma Patil, a senior, who substituted for Chung.

Hayes and Kim also prevailed 6-0 over Burbank’s No. 3, but lost 6-2 against Faraj and Sumera.

The Indians’ No. 3 duo of Vicky Shagriyan, a junior and Pranathi Darbhala, a senior, went 6-1 over Kim and Patil and 6-3 over Hawrylo and Pullen, but fell to Faraj and Sumera 6-3.

Burbank Can’t Keep Pace With Hart, Falls 49-28

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By Rick Assad

For a second, if you closed your eyes and went back in time you may have thought Friday’s football game between Burbank High and Hart was a battle in the Foothill League.

It wasn’t and when it was over the Bulldogs didn’t have enough gas in the tank and lost to the Indians 49-28 in a nonleague match at Memorial Field.

Senior quarterback Matthew Porras had two scoring passes in a 49-28 loss to Hart. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Each team is gunning for the CIF Southern Section playoffs, but on this warm night the Indians made more big plays than the Bulldogs, who last met Hart in 2005.

Burbank (1-2) started strong and led 14-0 in the first quarter as sophomore wide receiver Brandon Pena raced 95 yards on the initial kickoff to make it 7-0.

Burbank’s lead became 14-0 with 4:38 left as senior quarterback Matthew Porras (10 of 24 for 126 yards with three interceptions) and senior running back Chadz Vang (26 yards on three catches) hooked up on an 11-yard scoring pass that made it 14-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, senior wide receiver Michael Colangelo went 97 yards that sliced the lead in half.

Hart’s offense accounted for six touchdowns against Burbank, including Ethan Blair, who had one. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians (2-1) evened it at 14-14 when junior quarterback Zach Johnson, who was playing in only his third varsity game, threw the first of five scoring passes, this time hitting senior wide receiver Jacob Montes (87 yards on six receptions) with a five-yard bullet as 9:12 remained in the second quarter.

From this point, Hart outscored Burbank 35-14 including 14-0 in the fourth period.

“They made the momentum plays. They made critical plays at big moments and we didn’t,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “They executed in the big moments and we didn’t. That wins football games.”

The Indians (372 total net yards) then moved ahead 21-14 on a two-yard scurry by senior running back Ethan Blair (106 yards on 24 carries) as 5:07 remained before the half.

The Bulldogs had a tough time running the ball against the Indians. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The teams then exchanged turnovers which led to Burbank tying the contest at 21-21 when Vang located the end zone on a 15-yard scamper and 1:51 left before the break.

“It was a dog fight and that’s what we expected,” Colman said. “We knew we were going to play a really good team. A really well coached team. It was a test for us to get ready for the playoffs. We have to learn from this so when we’re in the playoffs, we have to be ready for it.”

Hart’s opening drive of the second half ended with a seven-yard toss from Johnson (18 of 29 for 252 yards) to Colangelo (46 yards on four catches) as 6:55 remained as the Indians led 28-21.

Matthew Porras ran for 55 yards on 17 carries. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

On Hart’s next series, Johnson capped the drive that began at the Hart 31-yard line with a 34-yard strike to junior wide receiver Drew Munoz and came with 2:24 left that gave the Indians a 35-21 edge.

“They’re a very talented team. They’re very good,” said Hart coach Mike Herrington, who is in his 30th season of the Bulldogs. “We had a hard time containing their quarterback.”

The Bulldogs (213 total yards) came within 35-28 when Porras (55 yards on 17 carries) and senior tight end Duncan Smith (73 yards on three catches) hooked up on a 52-yard play as 58.8 seconds remained in the third.

Hart’s lead became 42-28 with eight minutes on the clock in the fourth as Johnson hit Munoz (96 yards on four receptions) with a 23-yard strike and it became 49-28 with 5:32 left when Johnson found Munoz with a 25-yard toss.

Burbank’s next game is a Pacific League encounter against Hoover at home on Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Burbank Girls Volleyball Swept by Arcadia in Pacific League Match

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By Rick Assad

Losing the first game by a mere two points likely set the stage for two more close setbacks as the Burbank High girls’ volleyball team was swept by visiting Arcadia 26-24, 25-19, 25-19 in a Pacific League match on Thursday afternoon.

“I felt like we got off to a good start,” Burbank coach Karl Rojo said. “We were moving the ball around well, but at the end of the first set we just started committing a lot of unforced errors. Those unforced errors didn’t help us out at all.”

Burbank’s Bianca Hudson goes up for the kill. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The initial game was deadlocked at 20-20 before the Bulldogs waltzed ahead 21-20 on a kill from senior outside hitter Amaya Broyls, who had a match-best 16 kills and seven digs.

The Apaches stayed poised and calm despite the fact that they trailed.

“I was really excited for the first match, but at the same time too, I don’t like the first matches because it’s just the first part of the game and it’s them getting used to one another,” Arcadia coach Jennifer Estrada said.

Burbank (1-5 and 1-1 in league) then bulled ahead 22-21 on junior outside hitter Katie Treadway’s bullet.

Treadway (eight kills and 15 digs) then saw her serve tickle the net that evened it at 22-22.

Arcadia senior outside hitter Haley Kennedy’s kill made it 23-22 only to see it knotted at 24-24 when Apache senior outside hitter Ayala Plummer’s hit sail out of bounds.

Carmen Camacho-Platas (#19) and Leah Tawil try to block Haley Kennedy’s shot. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Apaches led 25-24 after Broyls drilled the net and the game was secured on a block from Plummer, who had 10 kills.

“My philosophy with them is when I call a time out, is for them to make a mistake if they do, but not make the same mistake twice,” Estrada said. “Move on to the next play. And then I’ll make the adjustment. They learn to move on to the next play instead of dwelling on that play that just happened.”

The early portion of the first set was tight including 4-4 on a kill from Broyls.

Kennedy’s kill gave the Apaches a 12-11 edge, but Burbank then evened it at 14-14 on Treadway’s strike.

The Apaches (5-0-1 and 2-0 in league) soared in front 18-16 on a dagger from sophomore outside hitter Alicia Tsao.

The middle game saw Arcadia push ahead 7-3 when senior opposite hitter Carmen Camacho-Platas walloped the ball out of bounds.

Katie Treadway about to set the ball against the Apaches. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

A kill from Plummer gave the Apaches a 13-10 edge and it became 19-14 on a winner from senior middle hitter Katie Blastek.

Arcadia then went on a 5-3 spurt that included Kennedy’s service ace that made it 24-17.

The Apaches then took a two games to none advantage when Broyls’ serve ventured past the stripe.

Arcadia’s cushion swelled to 11-5 in the clinching set on Plummer’s kill.

The Bulldogs drew within 14-12 on back-to-back service aces from junior opposite hitter Brandice Hibbard (two kills and two digs).

In short order, the Apaches jetted in front 20-17 and 21-17 on consecutive kills from Kennedy, who led the Apaches with 12.

When Treadway’s liner hit the net, it was 23-18 and the game was captured on Kennedy’s spike.

Burbank junior setter Ashley Eskander had 34 assists and four digs, junior middle blocker Leah Tawil finished with three kills and senior libero Kayla Pino had eight digs.