Ludlum continues Burroughs volleyball POTY tradition
A number of streaks were perpetuated this season in the Pacific League for the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team.
The Indians captured their eighth straight league championship and ran their league unbeaten streak to 53 matches, a string that dates back to 2013.
Another streak continued as Burroughs made it eight straight seasons in which one of its players was named the Pacific League Player of the Year. This year’s recipient is senior outside hitter Conner Ludlum, who shared the honor with Crescenta Valley senior middle blocker Anders Johnson.
Ludlum joins former Burroughs standouts Ryan Van Loo (2016, 2015), Max Chamberlain (2015), Nick Van Loo (2014), Tristin Martin (2014), Daniel Jacobs (2013), Robby Rutecki (2012), Tyler Yanez (2011, 2010) and Lucas Yanez (2011) as past player of the year recipients.
“It’s a really cool thing to have all those guys win in all those years for us,” Burroughs coach Joel Brinton said. “It’s something that you don’t really think of achieving during the season because the goal is always to win league. But when that’s all over, it’s kind of cool to look back on it and see what the guys have been able to accomplish.
“Connor and I did talk about it almost a year ago when we were done with the season after his junior year. We talked about what his goals would be and what he wanted to accomplish during his senior year. I pointed out winning MVP is a really good goal, but understand and look at the guys that have done it before you ... that’s a pretty illustrious list. I think that really helped him to get his head screwed on straight and made him realize that he really had to step up.”
Despite missing three weeks at the beginning of the season recovering from an injury, Ludlum had 268 kills, 26 aces, 25.5 blocks, and 161 digs.
“When coach and I talked last summer, I knew that I would have to have a lot of commitment and a lot of dedication and I would have to work hard if I wanted to even think about getting MVP,” Ludlum said. “I just wanted to get myself physically and mentally ready for the season.
“Ultimately, I was able to get the award with someone else, and that’s awesome.”
Ludlum was one of 11 players from Burbank and Burroughs to make the all-league list. Burroughs finished the season 17-14 and 10-0 in league play, while Burbank was 22-14 and 6-4 to place third in league.
Named to the first team for the Indians were senior libero Skyler Bercini, junior opposite Cole Kaitz and senior middle Jarrett Malone. The Bulldogs had two first-team selections in senior setter Jonathan Tapan and senior opposite AJ Rivera.
Earning spots on the second team were Burroughs junior setter Levi Benitez, junior middle Diego Rosal and Burbank junior middle Rory Rickey. Honorable mention went to Indians senior libero Everett Kanoho and Bulldogs junior opposite Jonathan Ragheb.
Bercini had 22 aces and a team-high 285 digs, second most for a season in program history (he owns the all-time digs mark of 324 set in 2016).
“He is everything that you hope your libero is going to be,” said Brinton, who was named the league coach of the year. “He just found a way to be present and be involved and chase after balls. What I think he really improved on this year was taking more ownership of the defense and making sure everyone else knew what to expect.”
Kaitz led the team with 284 kills and also was tops in blocks with 51.
“His kills is the fifth most ever for a season in our program and that says a lot of him that he was able to step up and lead us in that category,” Brinton said. “His growth this season was impressive, as well. Obviously his kills number is really impressive, but what he was also able to do with his blocking was amazing.”
Malone, who missed two weeks during the middle of the season with an injury, ended with 237 kills, 24 blocks and 134 digs.
“I actually put Jarrett up to be a possible co-MVP because I thought he had a huge impact for us,” Brinton said. “He had such a big transformation for us. At the beginning of the season, his plan and my plan was for him to play middle, but about mid-January, I had to create the idea of changing his position because he became such an impact player. He was a huge part of our success.”
While Rosal had 141 kills, 42.5 Blocks and 54 digs, Benitez contributed 30 aces, 729 assists and 87 digs.
Stats were unavailable for Burbank.
Twitter: @jefftsports
