Lila Wang and Mia Donavan help lead the Titans to a straight-set victory
In a matchup featuring two Rio Pacific Gazette teams, the San Marino Titans swept the Burbank Bulldogs in three sets, 25-18, 25-14, 25-20. Despite the loss, Burbank delivered a strong performance in the third set and remained competitive until the final points.
Lila Wang and Mia Donavan helped lead San Marino’s offense, particularly during the closing stretch of the third set. Wang recorded an ace and a kill, while Donavan added a kill to help the Titans complete the sweep. San Marino entered the match following a 3-0 victory over Eagle Rock last Wednesday, while Burbank was coming off a straight-set loss to Canyon on August 27.
Wang and Phoebe Chen opened the first set with back-to-back points to give the Titans an early 2-0 advantage. Emerson Chong answered with a kill to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. San Marino later took control with an 8-2 scoring run highlighted by consecutive aces from Arminty Yu. The Bulldogs were unable to overcome the deficit, and the Titans captured the opening set, 25-18.
The Titans carried their momentum into the second set, opening with a 5-0 run. Cynthia Kackstetter and Wang both contributed during the fast start. A San Marino error and a kill by Natalie Eguizarian briefly halted the Titans’ run and cut the score to 6-2. However, the Bulldogs struggled to establish a consistent rhythm, allowing San Marino to pull away for a 25-14 victory and a two-set lead.
Burbank responded with its best performance of the match in the third set. Chong and Farryn Hall helped the Bulldogs open with a 3-0 run as they looked to extend the contest to a fourth set. The Bulldogs continued battling throughout a tightly contested set, but the Titans made the key plays down the stretch. San Marino ultimately secured a 25-20 victory to complete the sweep.
With the loss, Burbank falls to 6-4-3, while San Marino improves to 12-3. Both teams return to action Thursday, September 3. Burbank will travel to face Marlborough at 3:15 p.m., while San Marino will play Pasadena Poly at Pasadena Poly High School at 3:45 p.m.
