Volleyball

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.

BURBANK - With perennial powerhouse Viewpoint High no longer in the Liberty League this season, the Providence boys' volleyball team players and coach think the Pioneers have a legitimate shot to capture a championship this year. However, in order to do so, they realize they must get up for every match against the top challengers in league, as well as defeat the opponents they should beat. Coming into Monday's league match with Yeshiva, the Pioneers didn't know which caliber of team they would face with the Panthers.

BURBANK - For not being in the same league in boys' volleyball, Division II powers Burroughs and South Torrance highs see a lot of each other on the court, and it always seems to be an emotion-packed encounter. “It seems that our karma the last couple years is we keep running into each other,” South Torrance Coach Kevin McElwee said. Once again, the matchup proved to be a contentious affair, as the Indians hosted the Spartans Friday evening in a nonleague contest and came away with a satisfying 25-18, 17-25, 25-22, 25-21 victory over the team that ended their run in the CIF-Southern Section Division III playoffs last year.

BURBANK - For a number of years prior to 2010, the Arcadia High boys' volleyball team was a nemesis for the Crescenta Valley squad. For the past three years, however, Burroughs has replaced Arcadia as the Falcons' top adversary in the Pacific League. The Indians, who have won or shared each of the past three league titles, have been a tough match for the Falcons, just like the Apaches were for more than a decade when Arcadia captured one championship after another. Burroughs was too much for the Falcons on Wednesday, as the Indians stormed to a 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 victory at home in the first meeting between the teams.

GLENDALE - Since Pacific League play began in March, the Burbank High and Glendale boys' volleyball teams find themselves with something in common - difficulty closing out games. That pattern changed slightly when the two squads met Wednesday afternoon at Glendale. Burbank received 11 kills from John You and 21 assists from Jason Gomez to register a 25-22, 16-25, 25-9, 26-24 victory. A point away from forcing a deciding fifth game, Glendale (6-6, 1-4 in league) saw Burbank (7-7, 4-1)

BURBANK - Twice one point away from grabbing sole possession of first place in the Pacific League, the Burroughs High boys' volleyball team couldn't close the deal. It left the Indians frustrated, but something they won't forget the rest of the way. “It comes down to execution,” said Burroughs Coach Joel Brinton, who saw visiting Claremont post a 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 20-25, 17-15 win against the Indians on Friday night. “They executed and we didn't. Period. “It's a tough loss, but it's something we need to learn from.

BURBANK - Following a stretch of multiple practices that occurred during their spring break session, the members of the Burbank High boys' volleyball team were eager to compete in a match again. The results turned out positive, as Derian Blandon finished with seven kills and eight digs to power Burbank to a convincing 25-17, 25-20, 25-14 Pacific League home win over Hoover. “We spent the last week or so focusing on things we needed to improve on, like serving tougher and our transition offense,” said Burbank Coach Patrick McMenamin, whose team improved to 6-7, 3-1 in league.

BURBANK - Sorry for the pun Burbank High, but the big dog in local boys' volleyball is still Burroughs. The Bulldogs found that out first-hand Thursday when the cross-town rivals met for the first of two matches this season. Upstart Burbank came into the contest undefeated and sitting atop the Pacific League standings after sweeping its first two league opponents. However, the Indians quickly brought the Bulldogs back down to earth. Burroughs built big leads and took advantage of Burbank mistakes to sweep the host Bulldogs, 25-16, 25-14, 25-16.

BURBANK - The Bellarmine-Jefferson boys' volleyball team has some work to do early in the season. With a number of contributors from last season's team having departed, the Guards need to both refine their volleyball skills while learning to play together. The lack of experience showed at home on Wednesday, as Calvary Chapel of Downey defeated Bell-Jeff in straight sets 25-23, 25-17, 25-11. The loss dropped the Guards to 0-5 on the season. This past weekend the team participated in the Providence Tournament.

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.