Alina Abrahamian’s match-winning ace caps the Bears’ victory over their crosstown rivals
The John Burroughs Bears strengthened their case for an at-large berth in the CIF Southern Section playoffs with a Senior Night sweep of rival Burbank, winning 25-20, 25-17, 25-13. Senior Alina Abrahamian delivered the match-winning ace to complete the victory.
Both teams entered the matchup after wrapping up league play. Burbank, the Crest League runner-up, was coming off a three-set loss to league champion Pasadena, while Burroughs defeated Crescenta Valley in five sets in its Arroyo League finale.
Before the opening serve, Burroughs honored its nine seniors and their families. The Class of 2027 includes Trinity Taylan, Zoe Davis, Paige Rowan, Victoria Acevedo, Amanda Meserve, Hailey Collins, Emma De Cunzo Steinglass, Joanna Brain and Abrahamian.
“Senior night was something I was looking forward to since I was a freshman, but it was bittersweet knowing that the end is near,” Bears co-captain Joanna Brain said.
Brain added that she and her fellow seniors have developed a special bond during their four years of high school volleyball.
Neither team gained a clear advantage early in the opening set, but Burroughs eventually took control. An ace by Brain extended the Bears’ lead to 15-9, and Burroughs later stretched the margin to 20-13. Burbank’s Sam Yosh helped trim the deficit to four with a kill, but Meserve sealed the Bears’ 25-20 victory with a kill of her own.
Burbank received the first point of the second set after Burroughs was called for a rotation violation. Collins answered with a kill to tie the score at 1-1, but two early aces from Yosh helped the Bulldogs take a 5-3 lead. The Bears recovered and pulled ahead, with Collins delivering the set-ending kill for a 25-17 win.
Burroughs carried that momentum into the third set, controlling play before Abrahamian’s ace secured a 25-13 victory and completed the sweep.It was a great tribute to our graduating senior class, but they know it’s a sad ending knowing that their time on the Burroughs Girls Volleyball team is slowly coming to an end,” Burroughs coach Edwin Real said. Real also praised the seniors’ dedication throughout the season.
For Sabrina Sullivan, who previously played and coached under Real at Burroughs, the ceremony offered an opportunity to celebrate familiar faces. “It was nice to see the kids I coached during my time at Burroughs get honored with their families. I’ve seen them grow tremendously since they were freshmen,” Sullivan said.Sullivan also expressed her respect for Real and the lessons she learned while playing for him and coaching alongside him.
Burroughs finished the regular season 16-14 overall and 3-5 in Arroyo League play. Burbank closed at 14-17-2 overall and 8-2 in the Crest League. Both teams will learn their postseason fate when the CIF Southern Section playoff brackets are released Friday, October 16, at 3 p.m.
