Ross Is Leading Trojans’ Charge

NEW ORLEANS — April Ross came to USC expecting to compete for national titles in volleyball. But until now, there has been only heartbreak for the junior outside hitter.

The Trojans were awestruck two years ago in their first Final Four in 15 years, and were swept aside by Wisconsin in a semifinal. With a more experienced group last year, the pieces appeared to be in place with Ross as their leader.

Then, with USC holding a one-game lead in the regional final against Arizona, Ross severely injured her right ankle and left the match. The Wildcats rallied for a five-game victory.

“Injuries happen and that one just happened at a bad time,” Ross said. “I don’t really think about it too much. It’s a whole new season.”

One that finds Ross and the Trojans at New Orleans Arena today trying to win USC’s first national championship in women’s volleyball in 21 years.

Standing in the Trojans’ way is Pacific 10 Conference rival Stanford, a team they have split with in two matches this season.

On Oct. 4, USC upheld its No. 1 ranking with a thrilling 30-23, 27-30, 30-28, 25-30, 24-22 win at Stanford, ending the Cardinal’s 26-match home winning streak.

Stanford (32-4) exacted revenge Nov. 2 by dealing the Trojans a 30-26, 16-30, 26-30, 30-28, 16-14 loss before the largest crowd at USC’s Lyon Center.

That remains the Trojans’ only loss in 31 matches.

“The first match against Stanford was one of my favorite matches that I’ve ever played in,” Ross said. “The second one was kind of heartbreaking because I felt we should have won that one.”

Ross, who was national high school player of the year at Newport Harbor, leads USC in kills, service aces and ranks second behind defensive specialist Nicole Davis in digs.

“If you watch April’s point production, she scored points in every way you can score them,” USC Coach Mick Haley said. “She’s come up with a jump serve this year as opposed to those floaters in the past. It doesn’t look that devastating but it really has been effective. She’s worked hard at her blocking and is becoming an accomplished blocker. Her hitting is not the power game but it’s more crafty.

“She is as complete a player that we have in the country right now other than say Logan.”

Logan is Logan Tom, Stanford’s two-time national player of the year. As the only college player on the national team, she led the U.S. to a fourth-place finish in the 2000 Olympics and a silver medal in the FIVB World Championships in September.

Against Hawaii in a semifinal Thursday, Tom had 13 kills, but it was her dominating defensive effort against big-hitting All-American Kim Willoughby that powered the Cardinal to a three-game sweep.

“Obviously, Logan is a great player,” said Katie Olsovsky, a junior middle blocker for USC. “There’s not a lot you can do other than get as tall as you can and take away sharp angles. She has a lot of shots and we have to take away the shots that are the hardest to defend.”

But while Stanford has one established superstar, USC has several powerful options.

“I think the top of our game is something we haven’t done too many times,” said Ross, a first-team All-American. “But I think if we do play at the top of our game, I think we’re really tough to beat.”

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Volleyball

What: NCAA women’s championship

Where: New Orleans Arena

Today’s final: USC (30-1) vs. Stanford (32-4), 12:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN2

Fast fact: The Trojans are appearing in their first NCAA title match since losing to Hawaii in 1982. Stanford has reached the finals for the 10th time and has five national championships.