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.”