Ross suffers two tough losses

MANHATTAN BEACH — Newport Harbor High alumna April Ross has it as a goal to make it to the semifinals or finals of every tournament she plays.

Sure, Ross and partner Jen Boss were the fifth-seeded team at the Manhattan Beach Open, so a 21-17, 14-21, 22-20 loss to No. 2-seeded Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs in the contender’s bracket sixth round was about what they could probably expect.

But knowing that Ross and Boss were ahead for much of the third game of that match before ultimately falling was what was frustrating for Ross.

“The key was [Young’s serve],” said Ross, who watched a 13-10 lead in the final game slip away. “She got three aces in a row and got another ace later. When they get down like that, she goes for her jump-serve as hard as she can.”

Ross and Boss also lost to eventual champion Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh in a winner’s bracket fourth-round match, 21-16, 21-16, on Saturday morning. May-Treanor also starred for the Sailors under Coach Dan Glenn.

“I think I look up to Misty the most out of any player on the tour,” Ross said. “I could definitely tell that she was coached by Dan Glenn. She has the all-around game, and he really encourages that.”

It was Ross and Boss who last beat May-Treanor and Walsh on domestic soil, at the Hermosa Beach on May 20. May-Treanor eventually won that tournament, which was her women’s record 73rd professional volleyball title.

“I really didn’t expect to ever really beat them,” Ross said. “That was probably one of my favorite matches.”

Ross and Boss finished tied for fifth at Manhattan Beach and split $8,500.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or at [email protected].