Trinity Talyan delivers the match-winning kill to complete a nail-biting victory for the Bears
In an exciting home opener, the John Burroughs Bears outlasted the La Salle Lancers in five sets, 25-14, 17-25, 25-17, 21-25, 15-11. Trinity Talyan sealed the victory with a match-winning kill in the decisive fifth set.
La Salle entered the season as the reigning Camino Real League champion after finishing last year with a 20-9-1 overall record and a perfect 10-0 league mark. The Lancers qualified for the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs but fell to El Dorado in the opening round. Burroughs entered its home opener with a 1-1 record after splitting its first two matches at the Molten Classic. The Bears lost to Vista Murrieta in four sets before sweeping Cypress in their second match.
La Salle received the opening point of the match when Alex Hammeke was called for a net violation. Hammeke quickly responded with a kill to tie the score at one. Neither team established an early advantage, but the Bears eventually broke open the first set with a 10-0 scoring run. Zoe Davis, Joanna Brain, Amelia Walsh and Paige Rowan contributed during the surge as Burroughs took control and cruised to a 25-14 victory.
The Bears carried that momentum into the second set, racing to an 8-1 lead behind contributions from Walsh, Davis, Emme De Cunzo Steinglass and Hammeke. The Lancers responded, overcoming an 8-2 deficit and tying the score at eight after a Burroughs attack sailed out of bounds.
Both teams delivered exciting play throughout the remainder of the set, but La Salle eventually pulled away for a 25-17 victory to even the match at one set apiece. Burroughs scored the first three points of the third set, with Victoria Acevedo and Walsh contributing to the fast start. The Bears maintained control and captured the set, 25-17, to take a 2-1 advantage.
Walsh opened the fourth set with a kill, but Charli Ramsey and Camila Beltre helped spark a 4-1 La Salle run. Walsh stopped the surge with another kill, but the Lancers held off the Bears and forced a fifth set when Ramsey delivered the set-winning kill in a 25-21 victory.
The decisive set remained closely contested as both teams battled for control. Burroughs ultimately gained the advantage, and Talyan finished the match with a kill to secure the 15-11 set victory and a thrilling five-set win for the Bears.
Burroughs improved to 2-1, while La Salle fell to 0-1.The Lancers will face La Serna on Thursday, August 13, at 4:30 p.m. Burroughs returns to the Molten Classic on Saturday, August 15, for two matches. The Bears will face Redlands in a placement-division contest before playing an opponent to be determined.
