Girls volleyball: Ross’ reign ends on top
Tony Altobelli
CYPRESS - It wasn’t all smooth sailing for April Ross during her
four-year varsity career on Newport Harbor girls’ volleyball team.
There was the “trip” up to the media room following Saturday’s
three-game sweep over Lincoln High of Stockton, 15-12, 15-6, 15-7, for
the Sailors’ second straight CIF Division I State Championship.
“I totally ate it coming up the stairs and took a chunk out of my
leg,” Ross said with a rolling of the eyes. “I’m OK. More embarrassed
than anything.”
Besides that, Ross got about as much out of a four-year career as any
high school athlete ever has at Newport Harbor or at any school, for that
matter.
In Ross’ four years, Ross has helped the Sailors to four straight Sea
View League titles, three straight CIF Southern Section Division I-AA
titles and, now, back-to-back state crowns.
“In my 14 years here, I’ve been rather fortunate to coach some
unbelievable players,” Sailors Coach Dan Glenn said. “April ranks up with
some of the best I’ve ever coached.”
That’s pretty special considering that puts Ross with some legendary
alums like Misty May, Jenny Evans, and others.
“Playing here at Newport is unbelievable,” Ross said. “The school
spirit has to be one of the best around. They’ve supported us all year
long and it’s been a real special four years.”
Lincoln Coach Bret Almazan-Cezar is one of many prep coaches who is
glad to see Ross move on to USC next season.
“She’s just amazing,” Almazan-Cezar said following his team’s loss to
the Sailors. “Without a doubt she’s got to be one the best, if not THE
best player we’ve faced all season and we’ve played some rather
impressive players.”
Ross, a probable All-Sea View League and All-CIF first-teamer this
year, was first-team, all-league and All-CIF as a sophomore as well as
league and Newport-Mesa District Co-player of the Year with teammate
Jennifer Carey as a junior.
In her four varsity volleyball years, the Sailors, who are on a
seven-year reign as Sea View champs, went 37-0, and she’ll take all that
winning to USC. What else has she learned with the Tars and Glenn?
“Always play hard and never give up,” Ross said. “We’d be down by a
bunch, but we would rally and somehow find a way to win. Loyalty and
dedication are probably the biggest lessons I’ve learned with this team.”
Oh yeah, she’s pretty good at basketball and track, too.
Ross was the district’s Co-player of the Year last year and as a
freshman, she won the CIF Division II title in the high jump.
But Ross will be remembered at Harbor as one of the best players on
one of the best teams the Sailors have produced in any sport, male or
female.
What went through her mind on the last play of her volleyball career?
The same thought she’s had the past four years.
“I just knew we were gonna win,” she said. “The whole team was playing
well and I was just totally excited about winning.”
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