Bears start off the season 6-1

The John Burroughs Bears continued their amazing start to the 2024 season with a four set victory over the Chatsworth Chancellors (25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 25-10) in their season home opener following a sweep over Monrovia and going 3-1 at the Molten Classic Tournament to start the season 6-1. Chatsworth is coming off a 2-3 record at the Las Vegas Tournament prior to the contest over Burroughs. 

The Chancellors were awarded a gift point to start off the opening set and Khloe Pavia responded with a kill to tie the score at one. Chatsworth went on a 4-1 scoring run which started with back to back kills by Fernanda Carrera and Genessa Johnson along with a side out error by Burroughs before Ameila Walsh stopped the run to get the Bears back within two points. The Bears and Chancellors both exchanged points on side out errors with Walsh recording an ace to bring the score within one point. Kiana Hildbrant recorded back to back aces to put the Bears up 7-6. Amila Walsh recorded a kill to end the opening set to seal the Bears five point victory. 

Chloe Pun got the scoring going with a kill to begin the second set for the Chancellors until the Bears tied the score with a side out error. Sienna Lay had an amazing second set, recording three kills and one ace to help the Bears win by three heading into the third set up 2-0. 

Burroughs got the third set going with a 3-0 scoring run with Khloe Pavia and Amiella Walsh recording back to back kills and Andrea Slobig followed that up with an ace. Olivia Chouchunian scored three straight aces to contribute to the 8-3 scoring run for the Chancellors. Sienna Lay and Laila Velu both recorded kills to change the leads for their respective teams. Genessa Johnson scored the match sealing kill to force a fourth set. 

Chatsworth had an opportunity to force an exciting 5th set until Kiana Hildabrant recorded two blocked shots to give Burroughs a 2-0 lead in the fourth set of play. Hildabrant helped contribute to the Bears 9-3 scoring run with a third blocked shot. Burroughs continued its stellar play with kills by Lilly McTeer, Sienna Lay, and Khloe Pavia which allowed the Bears to hold the Chancelors to 10 points and to complete the victory in four sets. 

“We served well and we got the ball to the hitters throughout the contest, even though at times during the game we struggled with our passing.” said Bears coach Edwin Real. Real admitted that there was a lack of communication in the third set when asked if the team played tired and lackadaisical. 

Chatsworth drops their record to 2-4 with the loss; they will take on Moorpark Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The Burroughs Bears will return to action next Wednesday, August 28th against Taft with the opening serve slated for 4:30 p.m.