Teams get CIF berths
BURBANK — It has been a record-breaking season for the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team.
Along with winning their first outright Pacific League championship, the Indians went undefeated in league play and have gone over the 30-win plateau — another program first.
The Burroughs boys’ tennis team also had a productive season, placing second in the Pacific League and barely missing repeating as league champion with narrow losses to Arcadia.
For their successes, both Indians teams have earned home matches for their openers in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
The volleyball team, the No. 1-ranked squad in Division III, actually was given a bye for the first round Tuesday. It was the only squad in the division to earn a first-round pass.
Burroughs will take to its home floor for the first time in the postseason with a 7 p.m. match Thursday. The Indians will take on the first-round winner of Rio Mesa and Morro Bay, which played Tuesday.
“I would have liked to play in the opening round, just to get the guys on the court and get that first playoff game in,” Burroughs Coach Joel Brinton said. “But having most of the week off will give us a chance to work on a couple of things so we can be ready for Thursday.”
Brinton said the team is anxious to get the playoffs started, and he feels the team could be poised for a deep postseason run.
“I think the guys will be ready to go,” Brinton said. “They are excited to see what we can do this season in CIF.”
The team has been paced all season by reigning All-Area player of the year Tyler Yanez, a senior setter, and senior outside hitter Lucas Yanez. But the team also has a wealth of weapons in Ike Nwachie, Robbie Rutecki and Daniel Jacobs.
If the Indians (30-3) win Thursday, they will advance to the quarterfinals Saturday at a site to be determined.
The Burroughs (9-3) tennis team will host Oxnard in a 3 p.m. contest today. Oxnard (9-8) placed second in the Pacific View League.
“The guys are pretty pumped to be in the playoffs,” Burroughs Coach Roy Bernhardt said. “Usually at this point in the season they’re like ‘we have to play more tennis?’ But they are really excited this time around.”
The Indians are paced by a couple of league champions. Sophomore Garrett Auproux won the singles title last week and the duo of Wen Yao Lin and Oscar Lam captured the doubles title.
A win would put Burroughs into a second-round match Friday at a site to be determined.”