Bulldogs comeback hopes of forcing a fourth set fall short with the Bears completing the sweep 

The John Burroughs Bears came away with another sweeping victory against the Burbank Bulldogs behind the game winning kill from Ameila Walsh, ending the Bulldogs’ hopes of forcing a fourth set. Burroughs entered following a sweeping victory over Muir with Burbank coming off a sweeping loss to Crescenta Valley back on Tuesday, September 16th. 

Burroughs began the opening set jumping out in front 3-0 which started with Grace O’Connor’s net serve followed by back-to-back points by Ameila Walsh, and Khloe Pavia. Walsh scored the game’s first kill while Pavia recorded the game’s first block. Both teams made it competitive for the first part of the first set until the Bears gained control. Sienna Lay ended the set with a kill to give the Bears a 12-point win, 25-13, heading into the second set. 

The Bears started set two by going on a 6-2 scoring run with points by Lelila Lazaar, Pavia, and Walsh. Sienna Lay recorded back-to-back kills to make it a 13-6 game and Savannah Lay added back-to-back aces to make it a 15-6 game. Emma De Cunzo Steinglass recorded back-to-back kills and Burroughs held Burbank to eight points for a 25-8 set win heading into the third set. 

Burroughs didn’t have it easy in set three, where Burbank showed their never quit attitude throughout the third set. The Bulldogs at one point were down 9-3 before Grace O’Connor recorded two aces to get Burbank back to within three. Gabrielle Jarrah recorded a key block for the Bulldogs to give them a brief one-point lead until Izabella Hanson responded with a kill to tie the game at two. Late in the set, Emerson Chong misshit a kill attempt with Burbank trailing 24-22, giving the Bears set point. Ameila Walsh ended Burbank’s comeback hopes of forcing a fourth set with the kill to complete the sweep for Burroughs. 

“It was a fun game to watch for the most part both sides of the fans got into it but the nerves got into the kids’ heads.” said Edwin Real. Real also added that he was glad that Walsh ended Burbank’s comeback hopes with her game-ending kill to complete the sweep. 

“I thought the girls got swiped out with it being a rivalry game, it took them a while for them to focus since Burroughs is a strong team, but in parts of set three the girls showed some effort.” said Carmen Camacho Platas. Camacho Platas also added that Grace O’Connor’s serves got the team going and was smart with her kills along with her ability to rally the team from behind. 

Burroughs improves to 12-2 overall and 6-1 in Pacific League play with Burbank dropping to 8-11 overall and 3-3 in Pacific League play. The next time Burroughs and Burbank will face off with each other will be on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m. which will include senior night festivities for the graduating class of 2026 on the Bears varsity girls volleyball team. The second round of the cross town rivalry girls varsity volleyball showdown will take place at John Burroughs High School. 

Both teams will return to action on Tuesday, September 23rd with Burbank taking on Arcadia on the road and Burroughs will host Pasadena. The first serve for both games will take place at 3:45 p.m.