Burroughs is focused

BURROUGHS HIGH — With the Burbank High girls’ volleyball program on the rise and a postseason qualifier the past few seasons, there is no way Burroughs was going to take its cross-town opponent lightly.

However, although the Indians were indeed focused on their Pacific League match with their rivals Wednesday, they are likely thinking ahead to an upcoming league showdown with first-place Arcadia.

Burroughs was able to keep its hopes for a league championship alive by downing the Bulldogs, 25-16, 25-18, 25-21, in a match at home.

After falling to Arcadia in five games Oct. 5, Burroughs (9-5, 6-1 in league) gets its chance at revenge Oct. 28 when they face the Apaches at home.

“We wish we could play them tomorrow,” said Burroughs Coach Edwin Real, whose team is in second place in league. “I think we owe them one. We know that’s going to be a big one for us.”

The Indians won a league title in 2007, their first in 13 years. They finished second in 2009 behind league-champion Arcadia.

Burbank Coach Sarah Brown was hoping her team would give the Indians more of a challenge in the first of two rivalry matches. However, she said her Bulldogs definitely didn’t play their best contest of the year.

“We can’t go out there and just expect Burroughs to make the mistakes,” Brown said. “We had a lot of fire during the summer, but I just don’t see that same kind of fire — but I’m waiting for it.”

Burroughs received a solid effort from Megan Stephenson, who tallied a match-high 15 kills. Teammate Victoria Santos added 12 digs.

After Burbank started the first game with a slight lead, the Indians battled back to snatch the advantage at 5-4. Burroughs was able to maintain the advantage the remainder of the game, as the closest the Bulldogs could get to the lead was four points.

Things got worse for Burbank in the second game, as Burroughs surged to a 16-1 advantage. However, the Bulldogs did show plenty of fight. Trailing, 24-10, they reeled off the next eight straight points to make a game of it.

“As much as we were down in that second game, I was surprised we were able to get that close in the end,” Brown said.

Burbank did have a 6-5 lead early in the third game. But again the Indians battled back to take control. The Bulldogs did a little battling of their own, coming on to take back the lead at 18-17. But once again, Burroughs regrouped to take back the lead, and secure the win.

“The girls were very focused, and I thought we came out and played pretty well,” Real said.

Burbank (6-3, 5-1) received six kills from setter Sarah Tubert and five from Jesscia Fish.