Ross wins World Series of Beach Volleyball with Walsh Jennings

LONG BEACH — Costa Mesa resident April Ross upgraded her medal collection by winning the World Series of Beach Volleyball, a Federation International de Volleyball world tour grand slam event completed Sunday at Alamitos Beach.

Ross, a Newport Harbor High product, and partner Kerri Walsh Jennings, who claimed a bronze medal at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil just more than a week prior, defeated the Spanish tandem of Liliana Fernandez and Elsa Baquerizo, 21-16, 21-16, in the nationally televised final.

For their second World Series of Beach Volleyball title in the last three years, Ross and Walsh Jennings, who lost in the final in 2015, will split $57,000. It was the 19th final-four appearance in 30 FIVB events and the 11th gold medal for Ross and Walsh Jennings, who were the top seeds in Long Beach.

Walsh Jennings now has 55 FIVB tournament titles, while Ross has 21.

Ross had 12 kills, four aces and three digs in the final, in which Walsh Jennings contributed 14 kills, two blocks and two aces.

“There was a sting in Rio [losing in the semifinals], but the way we rebounded [rallying to win the bronze medal match] is what I’ve remembered and that’s what sits with me,” Ross said while addressing the media after Sunday’s win. “That’s where we want to be, on top of the podium. There wasn’t sting for me when I got home [from Rio], so there was no erasing, but it’s an amazing feeling being up there in front of our fans who picked us up when we were down. I’m glad that we could do that. It’s huge for us.”

— From staff reports