Kailey Ho records the match-ending kill to help the Pioneers complete the sweep of the Bulldogs 

The Burbank Bulldogs came out on the losing end of their season home opener against the Providence Pioneers in a 3-0 sweep (25, 19, 25-15,25-14). This was also the head coaching debut of new Bulldogs head coach and program director Stephanie Yosh. Last fall was a disappointing season for both Burbank and Providence as they had losing seasons, which resulted in not qualifying for the CIF Southern Section Playoffs. The Bulldogs finished last season with a 9-26-2 overall record and a 1-7 record in Pacific League play, while the Pioneers finished with an 11-15 overall record and a 5-9 record in Prep League play. 

The Bulldogs started off the first set on a positive note by going on an 8-3 scoring run. Grace O’Connor, Sam Yosh, Lorin Azizian, and Maddi Yosh all helped Burbank with the scoring run, which appeared to give Burbank control of the set, but the Pioneers found a way to come back into the contest with four straight aces by Gianna Lafonatine to get the score tied at 11. Providence continued to have control of set one and came away with a 25-19 victory over Burbank. 

Meliana Adjamian and Daniella Aves both scored back-to-back points to give Providence a 2-0 lead to start the second set. Emerson Chong and Sam Yosh also had back-to-back points, battling back early to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 lead. Both teams were in a neck-and-neck contest until Sofia Foster and Kailey Ho helped take control for the Pioneers in set two. Giselle Pacheco recorded a block to give Providence a 25-15 win over Burbank. 

The Bulldogs were looking for answers to get back in the game entering the third set, but the Pioneers started set three by going on a 4-1 scoring run. Ho and Adjamian set the tone early to help Providence get on that scoring run. Ho helped Providence complete the sweep of Burbank with a game-ending kill to give the Pioneers a 25-14 win over the Bulldogs. 

“We lost our focus after that fast start to begin the game. As a team, our girls have the skills to make our team great, but overall, we need to start playing with focus consistently,” said varsity head coach Carmen Camacho-Platas on the loss. Camacho-Platas also added that Emerson Chong played well in the losing effort to Providence. 

Providence improves to 1-0 and Burbank falls to 1-0 to start the new season. Burbank will host Marlborough in the second of a back-to-back at home, with the first serve scheduled for 3:45 p.m., and Providence will host Millikan in their season home opener on Wednesday, August 13th, at 6:15 p.m.