Benji Ly leads the way with 13 kills in the victory for the Bears

The John Burroughs Bears come away with a sweeping victory over the Newbury Park Panthers behind Benji Ly’s 13 kills. Aside from a deficit to start the second set, the Bears controlled the match en route to their 3-0 win (25-11, 25-20, 25-15). Entering the Friday night contest Burroughs came off a four-set win over St. Francis on Wednesday and Newbury Park had a five-set loss to Oak Park on Tuesday. Aside from Ly’s 13 kills, Ryder Tafoya added seven kills and three aces, Noah Duffield had seven kills and two blocks, and Caiden Shrode racked up 24 assists with two aces and six digs. 

The Bears began the first set by going on a 7-2 scoring run as Tafoya, Duffield, and Shrode played a part in the offense. Burroughs continued to have control of the match throughout the first set until Ly and Riley Brinton both closed out set one with back-to-back points to give Burroughs a 25-11 win heading into the second set. 

Burroughs started the second set trailing 6-2 but Skyy Alston, Duffield, Ly, and Shrode helped the Bears climb their way back into the contest to help them lead 12-11. The Bears then took control of the momentum in the contest which resulted in them taking set two by the final of 25-20 heading into the third set. 

Taffoya and Alston began the third set by recording back-to-back kills for the Bears. The play of the night happened when Ly and Alston had a combined blocked shot in set three to help Burroughs lead 8-3. The Bears continued to essentially operate in cruise control throughout the third set, continuing what was a one-sided affair throughout the night. Burroughs closed out the set 25-15, to claim victory over Newbury Park and complete the three-set sweep. 

Burroughs improves to 8-2 and Newbury Park falls to 0-7. The Bears will begin Pacific League play with a two-game road trip beginning on Tuesday, March 4th against the Glendale Nitros with the first serve slated for 5:15 p.m. Newbury Park will look for answers to get on the win column with a home game against Royal (Simi Valley) on Wednesday, March 5th at 6:30 p.m.