Volleyball

BURBANK - With just one win to account for this season for the Bellarmine-Jefferson High boys' volleyball team, the Providence players might have thought they were in for a quick and easy time when the teams met Monday to renew their annual cross-town rivalry. That's because as the Guards have struggled, the Pioneers are enjoying a successful campaign. Not only is Providence undefeated in the Liberty League and poised to win its first title in more than a decade and a half, the Pioneers are also ranked No. 10 in the latest CIF Southern Section Division V poll.

BURBANK - It is a cross-town rivalry any time Burroughs High goes up against Burbank in any sport. But in boys' volleyball the rivalry is a purely geographical based one as the Indians are a divisional powerhouse and the Bulldog program is in just its second year after being revived as a varsity program. As the two squads squared off Wednesday in Pacific league play on the Indians' home floor, the metaphorical gulf between the two programs was on display as the hosts quickly and easily handled the visiting Bulldogs, sweeping them, 25-15, 25-13, 25-11.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL Providence d. Oakwood, 25-13, 25-18, 25-22 : The Pioneers secured their first Liberty League championship in 13 years Thursday by sweeping the Gorillas at home. Providence (15-9, 9-1 in league) finished one match in front of Pacifica Christian (8-2 in league), a team that handed the Pioneers their lone loss in league. "We needed to beat Oakwood or we would have to settle for co-league champions," Providence Coach Josh Eggleston said. "And the guys really didn't want that.

BURBANK ? The Providence and Bellarmine-Jefferson boys' volleyball programs have gone in different directions in recent years. The Pioneers have enjoyed a great deal of success and have had fine CIF Southern Section playoff runs. Unfortunately for the Guards, they have fielded young teams that have had difficulty winning. However, the teams appear to be headed in the same direction this season. Providence enters the season ranked No. 3 in Division V and Bell-Jeff returns its entire team that is pushing for a postseason spot.

BURBANK - The Flintridge Prep boys' volleyball team was at full strength for the first time this season and it showed as the Rebels won all three of their matches in Friday pool play at the Providence Tournament at Providence High. The third match was against the host Pioneers, who won their first match of the season earlier in the day over St. Genevieve. The Rebels, however, proved to be too much for Providence in a 25-20, 25-5 victory that puts Flintridge Prep in the championship game with La Salle Saturday at 3 p.m. "It's our first tournament as a full team after getting the basketball players back," said Rebels Coach Sean Beattie, referring to seniors Harrison Jung, Chadd Cosse, Tyler Weakland and Kareem Ismail, whose basketball season ended in the first round of the Division V CIF State Basketball Championships on Wednesday.

SOUTH PASADENA - The South Pasadena High boys' volleyball team had to play Saturday evening's CIF Southern Section Division III quarterfinal playoff match against Heritage Christian not at home as scheduled, but a few blocks away at South Pasadena Middle School. A bingo game has been slated for the Tigers' home gym. Yep, South Pasadena got bumped for bingo. No matter. The way the Tigers played for much of Saturday, they would have been successful regardless of the venue, as South Pasadena defeated Heritage Christian in four games, 25-15, 20-25, 25-15, 25-19.

BURROUGHS HIGH - The Burroughs High girls' volleyball team faced match-point in the fourth game of its Pacific League match Friday at home against first-place Arcadia. But instead of giving in, the Indians fought back. Burroughs pushed back to win the fourth game and force a winner-take-all fifth game. In that game, the Indians were again on the brink of elimination, but once again they clawed their way back to stay alive. Despite putting up a valiant effort in the deciding game - even forcing match-point twice, Burroughs couldn't finish the job, and as a result, it was the Apaches who were able to come away with a 25-14, 19-25, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24 victory.

SAM ORLANDINI FILITRIDGE SACRED HEART   Selected Mission League's co-Most Valuable Player       Honored for second straight season as an All-CIF Southern Section selection     Recorded 981 assists, 195 digs, 36 aces and 66 kills     Led Tologs to CIF Southern Section Division IA semifinal with a 35 assist-per-match average...

PASADENA - If enough wasn't already at stake for the Burroughs High girls' volleyball team heading into Thursday's city rivalry match versus Burbank, a share of the Pacific League lead may just put the contest over the top. That's because the visiting Indians kept themselves in contention for a slice of league ownership after defeating host Pasadena 25-20, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20 in league play Tuesday afternoon. With the win, defending league champion Burroughs (5-3 overall, 5-1 in league)

For the past three years, Burroughs High has been the premier boys' volleyball program in the city. The Indians have won or shared the last three Pacific League championships. In addition, the team advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division III semifinals in 2012 and the championship contest in 2011. With a solid group of returners this season, don't look for the Indians to shoot for anything less than league and CIF crowns. “The older guys who have been around are definitely into keeping the tradition going,” Burroughs Coach Joel Brinton said.