Ross Is the Boss at Newport Harbor

The best ever.

Though frequently misused and nearly impossible to validate, it’s the superlative handed to senior April Ross, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter for Newport Harbor High.

Ross, who has committed to play volleyball at USC, was the Southern Section Division I-AA co-most valuable player with Simi Valley Royal’s Courtney Guerra last season.

Ross also is a two-time all-league selection in volleyball and basketball and reached the state track finals in the high jump as a freshman.

“April’s versatility is what separates her from a lot of players,” said Charlie Brande, Ross’ Orange County club coach who also coaches the UC Irvine men’s team.

“I think her best position in college will be middle blocker, because she’s quick and explosive. But she could play outside hitter or even set. She could be the best player to ever come out of Orange County.”

Although Ross probably won’t prove the billing definitively, when the playoffs begin next week she and her teammates have an opportunity to accomplish a first in Southern Section girls’ volleyball history--win three consecutive top-division championships.

Even former Newport Harbor standout Misty May, a two-time college player of the year at Long Beach State, did not win three consecutive titles.

In 1997, Ross started as a sophomore alongside setter Jennifer Carey, who starts for Hawaii, and Newport Harbor defeated Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in the Division I-AA final.

The following season, Newport Harbor defeated Capistrano Valley in the Division I-AA final and Ross, Carey and the Sailors went on to win the Division I state title.

This season, Newport Harbor is top-ranked in the Division I-AA section poll and second-ranked in the Division I state poll.

Ross earned MVP honors last weekend when she helped the Sailors win the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, which featured seven of the top 10 teams in the state poll.

“She stepped it up mentally last week,” Newport Harbor Coach Dan Glenn said. “The closer it gets to the playoffs, the more focused she’ll be.”

In spite of all the praise and the glare of the postseason spotlight, Ross manages to keep an even keel.

“I don’t pay attention to that stuff anymore,” Ross said. “In my sophomore year, I got really excited when I saw my name in the paper.

“But I think I’m learning to put it all in perspective. I know volleyball is not one of the most important things in life. Volleyball just happens to be something I’m good at and if people notice, fine.

“If not, that’s OK too.”

Said Newport Harbor teammate Krista Dill: “People know how genuinely nice she is. You feel comfortable around her. She’s not selfish.”

Although Ross will enter USC next season with two of the nation’s top middle blocker recruits, Bishop Montgomery’s Katie Olsovsky and Bakersfield Centennial’s Kelli Lantz, she isn’t uncomfortable and knows she can contribute in different ways.

“They’re building on something at ‘SC and I want to be a part of that,” Ross said. “I just want to play.”