The Burroughs senior credits his coaches and teammates for helping him grow into a player and leader.
Before Noah Duffield takes the next step in his volleyball career at Stanford University, he has another goal to pursue with the Burroughs Bears: a third consecutive league championship. A varsity player since his freshman year, Duffield enters his senior season as a cornerstone of the Burroughs High School boys volleyball program. He earned first-team All-Pacific League and All-CIF honors as a sophomore before being named Pacific League Player of the Year as a junior.
Those individual accomplishments have come alongside team success. Duffield helped the Bears capture back-to-back Pacific League titles, and he hopes to finish his high school career by helping Burroughs bring home a third. For Duffield, however, the sport’s meaning reaches beyond awards and championships. His love for volleyball grew through the relationships he built along the way.
“I found my love for volleyball probably around eight grade. I had started playing since sixth grade, but I don’t think that I could call it love for the game just yet. However, during eighth grade I really found myself enjoying my time playing the sport as well as being with my teammates in the club,” Duffield said.
At Burroughs, that early enthusiasm continued to grow. Duffield credits head coach Joel Brinton and the older players who welcomed and encouraged him with helping shape his experience.
“Over my high school career, my high school coach, Joel Brinton, really nurtured me and strengthened my love for the sport even more. I also have my amazing upperclassmen to thank for being so supportive of me and encouraging me along the way,” Duffield said. “Every year I continue to play volleyball. I learn to love it even more because of all of the incredible people around me and the intensity of the sport as well.”
His commitment extends beyond the high school season. Duffield plays club volleyball with Surf and trained with the U.S. Men’s U19 volleyball team after his junior season concluded. He described the training experience as a highlight of his offseason and said he is highly motivated to help the Bears pursue another league championship.
Brinton believes Duffield’s greatest strengths go well beyond his physical presence on the court. “A lot of people see Noah’s height and think that is what makes him who he is. But he’s worked so hard to be more than just a tall volleyball player,” Brinton said. “Noah’s success has been earned through his ability to be coachable, a great teammate, and the desire to push himself to find out what else he is capable of doing.”
That willingness to keep improving has also helped Duffield become a leader whose approach influences those around him.“He is never satisfied with where he is at and is always asking what is next and how else can I get better,” Brinton said. “This ability to never be satisfied is infectious with the team and helps him be an effective leader.”
Following his senior season, Duffield plans to attend Stanford University, where he will continue his education and join the men’s volleyball program. Brinton said Stanford will be gaining a dedicated student-athlete with a deep love for the game.
The Bears’ 2027 boys volleyball season is expected to begin in mid-to-late February. For Duffield, it will offer one final opportunity to compete alongside the teammates and coach who helped strengthen his passion for volleyball—and to help lead Burroughs toward a third straight league title.
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