Bears enter the newly formed Arroyo League after sharing the 2025 Pacific League title
Fresh off a share of the Pacific League championship with Crescenta Valley, the John Burroughs High School girls volleyball team will look to defend its title during the inaugural season of the newly formed Rio Pacific Conference. Burroughs will compete in the Arroyo League, one of the three leagues within the new conference structure.
The Bears finished the 2025 season with a 26-9 overall record and a 14-1 mark in Pacific League play. Their postseason run ended in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs with a five-set loss to Corona del Mar.
Burroughs continued preparing for the upcoming season by competing in summer league play. The Bears finished third after falling to Eagle Rock in three sets on the final day of competition.Head coach Edwin Real will enter his 26th season leading the Burroughs girls volleyball program. He is currently the longest-tenured head coach in Burroughs athletics.
Real will take on an additional leadership role in January 2027, when he becomes the school’s athletic director following the retirement of current athletic director Keith Knoop. Real will continue serving as the girls volleyball head coach. Assistant coaches Heidi Collins and Glenn Hamanaka will be part of Real’s coaching staff.
Among the key players to watch this season are Emma DeCunzo Steinglass, a libero who earned All-Pacific League second-team honors last year, and outside hitter Ameila Walsh, who was named to the All-Pacific League first team.
“This season is going to be challenging for us, but we’re really excited about this team and the group of girls who are coming back to help us be successful in 2026,” Real said. When reflecting on last season’s senior class, Real said the team will especially miss the presence and contributions of Khloe Pavia and the Lay twins.
The Bears will open the 2026 season Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Molten Classic Tournament, with opponents to be determined.Burroughs will host La Salle in its home opener Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 3:45 p.m. The Bears will begin Arroyo League play at home against defending co-champion Crescenta Valley on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. Senior Night will feature a matchup against crosstown rival Burbank at 6:15 p.m., when the Bears will honor the graduating Class of 2027. With experienced players returning and Real beginning his 26th season at the helm, Burroughs will look to build on last year’s success and compete for another league championship.
