Burroughs is again Crescenta Valley’s nemesis in volleyball

BURBANK — For a number of years prior to 2010, the Arcadia High boys’ volleyball team was a nemesis for the Crescenta Valley squad.

For the past three years, however, Burroughs has replaced Arcadia as the Falcons’ top adversary in the Pacific League.

The Indians, who have won or shared each of the past three league titles, have been a tough match for the Falcons, just like the Apaches were for more than a decade when Arcadia captured one championship after another.

Burroughs was too much for the Falcons on Wednesday, as the Indians stormed to a 25-16, 25-21, 25-15 victory at home in the first meeting between the teams.

“Burroughs has been the power,” Falcon Coach John Nelson said. “Any team that’s winning league is the team you want to beat.”

Indians Coach Joel Brinton, who played for Nelson and later served as his assistant coach, built the Burroughs program from a weak squad to a strong contender that has used part of Nelson’s coaching philosophy.

“One of the biggest things I took from Coach Nelson is the work ethic,” Brinton said. “He always said, ‘if you’re going to do something, make sure you do it right.’ You have to do it, might as well do it right.”

Nelson complimented Brinton’s work ethic.

“He’s a good coach,” Nelson said. “He’s well-organized and he does things the way they should be done.”

Brinton also has the fortune of being surrounded by outstanding players, starting with outside hitter Daniel Jacobs, an All-Area selection and co-league player of the year last season who set a school record with 264 kills in 2012.

He had a match-high 16 kills to lead the Burroughs sweep in 65 minutes.

Jacobs did have help. Shayne Beamerhad nine kills and two blocks, Jonathan Fuentes had six kills and setter BJ Lagmay had 32 assists.

“They’re good,” said Nelson, whose team was led by Alex Shin (team-high six kills) and Christopher Han (13 assists) “They pass well, and when you pass as well as they do, you have a lot of options.”

Burroughs (10-4, 4-1 in league) did not play as well as it thought it should have, as it committed 29 unforced errors, including 13 on its serve.

The Falcons (2-3 in league) stayed close with the Indians through a majority of the first two games before Burroughs pulled away late.

The Falcons led, 15-14, in the first game before the Indians scored six consecutive points and 10 of the final 11.

With the Falcons closing in on the Indians and trailing, 19-17, the Indians went on another run. The Indians scored five consecutive points for a comfortable lead.

“We didn’t execute for most of the games,” Jacobs said. “It took CV catching up to us and kicking our butt for us to get our act in gear and bring it like we’re supposed to.”

Added Brinton: “CV stayed with us due to our lack of execution. Take nothing away from them. They played hard, but it was a lot of lack of execution on our part.”

The Falcons were proud that they stayed close to the Indians.

“We gave a great effort,” Nelson said. “We’re a bit young and we’re learning. I like the effort we had, though. I go home with some good things we can build on.”