Women’s Volleyball: Ross shows heart

Steve Virgen

CRAWFORD HALL - She played Saturday night in the first round of the

Marriott Sunset Showcase because that’s what her mother would have

wanted.

USC sophomore April Ross, a Newport Harbor High product and the

Trojans’ budding star, played in her team’s season-opener despite the

death of her mother Margie, who passed away Thursday after battling

breast cancer for the past nine years.

“She’s playing because her mother is watching her,” Ross’ father,

Glen, said before the Trojans’ match against UC Irvine at Crawford Hall.

“April knew her mother was sick and it would be a matter of time before

she died. It’s still painful when it actually occurs, but I told her, ‘If

you decide to play, we’ll support you.’ ”

Ross declined to comment on her situation, saying, “I’d rather not

talk about it.” She instead spoke of the match in which her spiking

earned 11 points as she sat out Game 3, the Trojans’ only loss in their

four-game victory over UCI.

“I told her,” said Glen Ross. “Do what your mom would want you to do.”

April Ross didn’t just play. She dominated. As usual she displayed a

competitive spirit throughout and rallied her teammates with a

performance that was inspiring, resulting in momentum.

With the Trojans leading, 21-15, in Game 4, Ross spiked down a kill

and flashed a smile to her teammates. She earned another point for a

23-16 lead and later slammed another for a 28-19 lead.

“Typical,” UCI Coach Charlie Brande said of Ross’ character. Brande

has known Ross since she was 11 when he coached her in club volleyball.

“She has always understood competing and always had a leveled

understanding about the game. I wish she was playing on my side.”

Ross came out firing in Game 1, earning the advantage for USC. She

tallied three kills and also had two digs and one block. She ended Game

1, when she rose above the net from the right side and slapped the ball

to an open spot on UCI’s side for a 30-14 win.

“I am really competitive,” Ross said. “If you ask my coaches, they

will all tell you the same. Everyone on this team loves to play this game

just like I do.”

Ross and the Trojans, the No. 2 team in the nation, will play

fourth-ranked Wisconsin today at 3 p.m at Crawford Hall.

“I always like playing at UCI,” Ross said with a smile. “I like it

here because I grew up around here and a lot of people come to see me

play. I enjoy seeing them a lot. I always enjoy seeing Charlie.”