Burroughs should be one of the favorites to win the Pacific League with Crescenta Valley and Arcadia in 2025 

The Burroughs Bears are entering this 2025 season with more motivation than ever as they will look to make a lot of noise heading into the new season. Last season the Bears finished with a 25-10 overall record and an 8-2 record in Pacific League which resulted in a CIF Southern Section Playoff appearance. The Bears lost to St Margaret’s in the second round of the playoffs. 

Entering his 17th season as the head coach of the John Burroughs Boys volleyball program is Joel Brinton. Brinton is currently one of the longest tenured head coaches at Burroughs along with Vikki Oganyan and Edwin Real.  Brinton’s coaching staff will feature Brendan Van Lu (Head Junior Varsity Head Coach), Edwin Real (Frosh Head Coach), Choy Jimenez (Assistant Coach), Steven Grandinetti (Assistant Coach), Nick Calderon (Assistant Coach) and Bryan Felix (Assistant Coach). 

This team will be filled with talent on the varsity roster under Brinton, and will feature three returning all Pacific League players in seniors Ryder Tafoya ( Pacific League First Team), Benji Ly (Pacific League Second Team), Caden Shrode (Pacific Leagues Honorable Mention) along with underclassmen sophomore Noah Duffield and freshmen Riley Brinton (son of Head Coach Joel Brinton). 

“We’re excited about the group that we have, our seniors have provided fantastic leadership to our younger guys,” said Joel Brinton. Brinton added that the mindset for the team is focusing on the day to day aspect of the season with the goal of getting better everyday. 

The dates to be on the lookout for in the 2025 season is Burroughs beginning the season with back to back games on Tuesday, February 18th and Wednesday, February 19th on the road with Clairmont before hosting West Ranch for their home opener. The Bears will also appear in three tournaments this season as they will play in the Redondo Tournament on Friday, February 21st and Saturday, February 22nd. Then they will make the drive down to San Diego for the La Jolla Tournament during the school’s spring break on Friday, March 21st and Saturday, March 22nd along with the Chatsworth Tournament which starts on Tuesday, April 1st and will go until Saturday, April 5th. 

Burroughs will begin Pacific League play on Tuesday, March 4th at Glendale High School at 5:15 p.m. The Battle of Burbank will take place on Friday, March 28th at John Burroughs High School (6:00 PM first serve) and then again on Thursday, April 17th at Burbank High School (6:00 PM first serve). Burroughs will conclude the regular season on Tuesday, April 22nd at Arcadia High School with first serve taking place at 3:45 p.m. Stay tuned for coverage all season long with John Burroughs boys Volleyball.