Burroughs Bears Secures Sweep Over crosstown rival Burbank

Noah Duffield wins the game with a kill to help the Bears complete the sweep of their cross town rivals

A group photo of a volleyball team and their supporters gathered on the court, holding flowers and stuffed animals, celebrating an event.

The John Burroughs Bears came away with a 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-13, 25-22) against their crosstown rivals the Burbank Bulldogs on Tuesday evening. Noah Duffield’s match-winning kill sealed the sweep for Burroughs. The Bulldogs came off a four-set loss to the Crescenta Valley Falcons while the Bears went 3-1 at the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions this past weekend.

A group of basketball players in red jerseys huddled together on the court, discussing strategy, with an American flag hanging in the background.

A volleyball team huddles together near the net in a sports gym, with spectators in the background and banners on the walls.

The Bears began the first set with a 5-1 scoring run over the Bulldogs. Skyy Alston, Duffield and Marco Santiago Dorn played a role in the early offense. Brandon Chong ended the Bears put Burbank within three by recording a kill. The Bears eventually maintained control throughout the first set and came away with a 25-14 win.

A basketball team in white uniforms huddles together on the court, preparing for a game. The gym features visible banners and a scoreboard, with spectators in the background.

A boys volleyball team in red uniforms huddles together on the court, preparing for a game, with an American flag hanging on the wall in the background.

The second set was more of the same, and Santiago Dorn started it off with back-to-back kills. The Bulldogs responded to tie the set at 2 on a Michael Becker block and an Alston ball out of bounds.

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A volleyball match in progress, featuring players in blue and red uniforms. An official is seated on a referee's chair while players are positioned on the court, preparing to play the ball.

Devon Romo had what could be called the series of the match when he recorded three straight aces to help the Bears inch closer to a second set victory. Luke Kang and Riley Brinton recorded consecutive points to help the Bears win the set and have a comfortable 2-0 series lead heading into set three.

A high school volleyball game in progress, featuring players in red uniforms, spectators in the background, and an American flag hanging on the wall.

Indoor sports gym showing league championship banners on the wall, with a scoreboard displaying a score of 5 for the home team and 2 for the visitor team. Players in athletic gear are present on the court.

The Bulldogs and Bears provided an entertaining third set for the crowd. While neither side had any clear advantage from the start, Burroughs eventually took control of the set with back-to-back points from Santiiago Dorn to help them lead 23-21.

A volleyball match in progress inside a gymnasium, with players in red and white uniforms. One player prepares to spike the ball while others are in defensive positions. Spectators and coaches are visible in the background.

A volleyball match in a gymnasium with a scoreboard showing 10-11. Players in blue and white uniforms are on the court, while a referee in a blue shirt oversees from a high chair. Championship banners are displayed on the walls, and spectators are seated in the background.

The Bulldogs got within one following a net violation committed by the Bears. Alston and Duffield ended the Bulldogs chances of forcing a fourth set by scoring two straight points to complete the sweep of their cross town rivals.

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A young athlete in a red jersey holds flowers and a teddy bear while posing with a woman in a red shirt, standing in front of a backdrop featuring bear logos.

After the game the John Burroughs Bears paid tribute to its six graduating seniors and their families on the first ever senior night celebrations of any kind in the program’s history. The six seniors that got the spotlight were Gus Borkin, Marco Santiago, Dorn (La Sell commit) Jack Szaras, Devon Romo, Gavin Etterbeek and Sky Alston.

A volleyball game scene in a gymnasium with spectators in the background. A player wearing jersey number 12 is interacting with a coach or official, while others walk nearby. A table displays snacks and advertisements, and banners hang around the gym.

“I think it was a great opportunity to not only celebrate the seniors on the team but also recognize the parents for their hard work and dedication for raising the kids into great young men.” said Marco Santiago Dorn. Santiago Dorn also added that it was great that his entire family got to come out to the game tonight.

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A volleyball court with players and spectators. A woman is photographing a group near a table displaying fruits and a sign that says 'Advertise Here!'.

“It was a nice way to thank the families of the seniors along with the graduating seniors on the Burroughs Boys Volleyball team for their tireless commitment to the program for the past four years.” said head coach Joel Brinton.

A group of people, including a volleyball player in a red uniform, gathering in a gymnasium with a volleyball net visible in the background.

A volleyball player in red and white jersey with the number 21 poses with his parents, who are holding a teddy bear and flowers, in front of a backdrop featuring bear logos.

Brinton also added that the reason why a senior postgame celebration was added to a home game on the schedule was because for the kids to make memories.

A group of people gathered in a sports gym, engaging with a man in a white shirt who is holding a flower and a piece of cotton candy. Behind them is a volleyball net and a table with promotional banners.

A group of people interacting in a gymnasium with a volleyball net in the background. There is a table displaying decorations and snacks, with a banner behind it.

Burroughs improves to 20-7 overall and 6-1 in Pacific League play which puts them a game back of Arcadia for first place. Burbank drops to 3-11 overall and 1-7 in Pacific League play.

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Burroughs will take on Crescenta Valley on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. with major implications in the standings. The winner of the game will have sole possession of second place.

A group of three people posing together in front of a backdrop featuring bear logos. One person holds a teddy bear, while another holds a bouquet of flowers.

A volleyball court scene with people interacting. Two individuals are engaged in conversation near the net, while a photographer captures the moment. A table with baked goods and a brightly lit advertisement is visible in the background.

If Burroughs can come away with the win on Thursday, that will set up an opportunity for them to share the Pacific League title with Arcadia when they face the Apaches next Wednesday, April 22.

A volleyball player wearing a red jersey with the number 14 is being congratulated by a coach in a gymnasium, with a volleyball net and spectators in the background.

A group of people posing together in a gymnasium with a 'Bears' volleyball theme. They are standing in front of a backdrop featuring bear logos, celebrating an event, possibly a senior night or award ceremony.

Burbank will take on Pasadena in the battle of the Bulldogs showdown at 5:15 p.m. as it will be senior night prior to the opening serve to honor members of the Burbank High Boys Volleyball seniors.