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April Ross coaches at an NTDP event

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 28, 2025)— USA Volleyball proudly announces that three-time Olympic medalist April Ross has been named head of coaching for Beach National Teams. In this pivotal role, Ross will be responsible for supporting the professional development of Beach National Team coaches, enhancing their training, competition preparedness, and the performance of our top American athletes on the international stage.

As a trailblazer in women’s beach volleyball, Ross brings unparalleled experience to this leadership position. A three-time Olympic medalist — with gold, silver and bronze medals— she has long been a dominant force in the sport. Her career achievements are a testament to her work ethic, strategic mindset and passion for the game.

“I’m honored to join USA Volleyball in this new role and look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to continue the legacy of success on the international stage,” Ross said. “I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, and I’m excited to be part of a team that shares that vision.”

As head of coaching, Ross will be based at the Beach National Team Training Center in Torrance, California, and report to Sean Scott, the director of beach national teams. In this role, she will work closely with the USAV Performance Team and U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee members to significantly advance the professional capabilities of national team coaches and elevate the quality of coaching and training across all levels of the Beach National Team program.

“April’s leadership and dedication to the sport are unmatched, and we are thrilled to have her in this new role,” said USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw. “She is a true champion and a mentor who understands the value of collaboration and developing the next generation of elite athletes. We are confident that her expertise will continue to elevate U.S. beach volleyball on the global stage, especially as we look ahead to LA 2028.”

With Ross stepping into this leadership role, USA Volleyball reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation and the long-term growth of beach volleyball in the United States.

“April brings a unique combination of elite-level experience, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for mentoring,” Scott said. “She’s competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to succeed. I’m excited to work alongside her as we continue to build a world-class coaching culture that supports our athletes’ growth and prepares them to win at the highest level.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 28, 2019) – Beach volleyball player April Ross describes the 2017 season as “motivation.”

“When the season ended, I could not wait to get in the gym and on the court,” she said. “I needed to train. I needed to get really strong again.”

There were certainly highs for Ross in 2017. She and partner Lauren Fendrick took silver at the FIVB World Championships and at the Long Beach Presidents Cup. She also won twice on the AVP Tour; once in Austin with Whitney Pavlik and in New York with Fendrick.

There were lows too; a highly publicized split with Kerri Walsh Jennings and a broken toe suffered at the New York AVP event were among the challenges Ross had to meet.

With perseverance and grit, Ross made it through 2017 and has been named USAV’s Female Beach Athlete of the Year for the fifth year in a row and the seventh time in her career.

“The season was very stop and go,” said Ross, 35. “With the lack of consistency, I never felt in shape. It was a struggle. That’s why this award means even more. I tried to make the best of the season.”

Ross points to the performance at the World Championships in Vienna as the high point of the season.

“It was the highlight for two reasons,” she said. “Because of how we did and because that is what I had my eye on the whole summer.

“The way Lauren and I approached it and how diligent we were in executing our game plan. It meant a lot to me.”

Winning the New York AVP event with a broken toe suffered during the semifinals was another high point for Ross, although it led to her having to take a three-week break from playing.

“I landed on Lauren after I hit,” Ross said. “I had never broken a bone before, so I didn’t think it was broken. I thought it was dislocated.”

Ross and Fendrick had to play Summer Ross and Brooke Sweat in the final.

“I remember how big Lauren stepped up,” she said. “We did whatever we had to do to pull out that win. It’s one of the most memorable moments of my career.”

With 2017 almost over, Ross is more than ready to embrace the future, which will include playing with beach novice Alix Klineman in 2018. The team will make its debut at the FIVB World Tour four-star event in The Hague, Netherlands on Jan. 3-7 so they can start accumulating points toward 2020 Olympic qualification.

“I am excited to see what we can do,” Ross said. “She’s extremely fast. For being 6-foot-5, she moves really quickly. Our philosophy is going to be to go after every ball. So that’s fun.”

USA Volleyball Female Beach Player of the Year
2017: April Ross
2016: April Ross
2015: April Ross
2014: April Ross
2013: April Ross
2012: Misty May-Treanor
2011: April Ross
2010: Summer Ross
2009: April Ross
2008: Misty May-Treanor
2007: Misty May-Treanor

MEN’S RESULTS | WOMEN’S RESULTS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb won their first AVP Tour tournament of their partnership and April Ross earned her second consecutive this year, this time with Lauren Fendrick, all at the AVP Tour New York City Open.

The victory for April Ross is her 29th career AVP tournament win, and her second with partner Lauren Fendrick. The pair won the 2015 Huntington Beach Open. For Jake Gibb, it was his 27th AVP Tour title, and the first for his partner Taylor Crabb.

A. Ross and Fendrick beat Brooke Sweat/Summer Ross, 24-22, 21-15 in the women’s final. During the weekend, second-ranked A. Ross/Fendrick swept their first three matches before going the distance against No. 1 Brittany Hochevar/Emily Day in the semifinal, earning the win 18-21, 21-15, 15-13. Sweat and S. Ross, seeded fifth, swept their four matches en route to the final, including their semifinal against Kimberly DiCello/Emily Stockman, 26-24, 21-15.

The men’s bracket provided much excitement from Gibb/Ta. Crabb, who earned the men’s title after going extra points in the finale, topping Slick/Allen 21-16, 25-23. Second seeded Gibb/Ta. Crabb went unbeaten, without dropping a set at the tournament, their best performance so far in 2017, punctuating their first AVP title as a team. For Slick/Allen, it was their second semifinal appearance on the Tour this year, after they earned their way into the final from the contender’s bracket, returning to beat No. 4 Sean Rosenthal/Trevor Crabb, 21-19, 21-15, in the other semifinal.

On the other side of the bracket, was the foreign team of Canadian Chaim Schalk and Brazil’s Ricardo Santos, who tied for third in both Schalk and Santos’ second AVP appearances, though Santos’ first was in 2009 with fellow Brazilian Emanuel Rego (also tying for third). Schalk and Santos are the first non-Americans to place on the AVP podium since Gregg Weaver did in June of 2016 (with Avery Drost).

RESULTS
Women | AVP New York City Open | June 8-11
1. April Ross/Lauren Fendrick
2. Brooke Sweat/Summer Ross
3. Brittany Hochevar/Emily Day
3. Kimberly DiCello/Emily Stockman

Men | AVP New York City Open | June 8-11
1. Jake Gibb/Taylor Crabb
2. Billy Allen/Stafford Slick
3. Sean Rosenthal/Trevor Crabb
3. Chaim Schalk/Ricardo Santos

Women | AVP Austin Open | May 18-21
1. April Ross/Whitney Pavlik
2. Kimberly DiCello/Emily Stockman
3. Angela Bensend/Geena Urango
3. Amanda Dowdy/Irene Pollock

Men | AVP Austin Open | May 18-21
1. Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena
2. Sean Rosenthal/Trevor Crabb
3. Billy Allen/Stafford Slick
3. John Mayer/Jeremy Casebeer

Women | AVP Huntington Beach Open | May 4-7
1. Brittany Hochevar/Emily Day
2. Betsi Flint/Kelley Larsen
3. April Ross/Whitney Pavlik
3. Lauren Fendrick/Lane Carico

Men | AVP Huntington Beach Open | May 4-7
1. Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena
2. John Hyden/Ryan Doherty
3. Jake Gibb/Taylor Crabb
3. Casey Patterson/Theo Brunner

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – April Ross is now the six-time recipient of the USA Volleyball Female Beach Player of the Year award, the most for a female athlete.

For the fourth-consecutive year, April Ross is taking home USA Volleyball’s highest accolade as the Beach Female Player of the Year.

“In 2016, April Ross was voted Best Server on the FIVB World Tour, won multiple medals on Tour, took home the bronze medal at the Olympic Games and led all players in digs at the Games. Therefore, USAV is honored to name her the 2016 Female Beach Player of the Year,” said Sean Scott, USAV Beach National Programs Director.

This past season, Ross and partner Kerri Walsh Jennings earned five gold medals on the FIVB World Tour, including three straight that spanned trips to China, Cincinnati and Russia.

“I’m really honored to be named USA Volleyball’s Player of the Year again this year, I can’t believe it’s my sixth time,” Ross said. “The past season was definitely the best one of my career and I have to thank Kerri, Marcio (Sicoli), Jon (Daze), and Gustavo (Rocha) for that. I’ve learned so much from all of them the past four years, I’m very thankful I was given that opportunity. I love the USAV family so it makes this award all the more meaningful, so thanks to them as well!”

Ross was named the 2016 FIVB Best Server earlier this winter, her fourth for the accolade and eighth FIVB honor in her career. Serving wasn’t the only thing that Ross was recognized for during this quad and her consecutive receipts of Player of the Year are reflective of her ability to drive her and her teammates to success.

“April Ross is a complete player,” said Walsh Jennings. “She brings all of herself every time she steps on the court and she competes with all her might and she is MIGHTY!”

The two-time Olympic medalist sealed her name in the record books as one of the best in the game following a historic run up to and at the Rio Olympics. Overcoming obstacles that included an injured partner in 2015, the 2016 calendar saw the pair go 50-7 heading into the Games with a No. 3 seed. While there, the duo picked up their 150th team victory, during the second round.

“April demonstrated over this quad her emergence as one of the great players of all time in women’s beach volleyball,” said USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal. “Playing with a new partner and in a new role, playing under the much more media scrutiny of the new partnership, all are remarkable changes April had to go through.

“April is one of the most talented complete volleyball players that’s ever represented the United States. Her career as a collegiate athlete, and what could have easily have been an internationally successful career indoors and the change she made to succeed on the beach. The fact that she has won two medals at the Olympic Games is a hall of fame career in and of itself,” Beal continued. “April has also given back to the sport in many ways, not the least of which is her involvement on the USA Volleyball Board of Directors. She’s passionate about the sport, she’s passionate to work with USA Volleyball. She’s an icon in my mind, in every sense of the word and very deserving of being recognized as the beach player of the year.”

USA Volleyball Female Beach Player of the Year
2016: April Ross
2015: April Ross
2014: April Ross
2013: April Ross
2012: Misty May-Treanor
2011: April Ross
2010: Summer Ross
2009: April Ross
2008: Misty May-Treanor
2007: Misty May-Treanor

 

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Consecutive blocks from Kerri Walsh Jennings sealed the third set and the bronze medal for her and April Ross in their 17-21, 21-17, 15-9 victory against Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Ross is now a two-time Olympic medalist, winning silver in London 2012, and Walsh Jennings a four-time Olympic medalist, winning gold from 2004-12.

Ross and Walsh Jennings took one set to get rolling in the bronze medal match before turning around for spectacular play to top No. 1 Larissa Franca/Talita Antunes.

“It feels like a gold. Once you win a semifinal, the gold medal match is easy,” said Walsh Jennings. “I mean no disrespect to winning a gold medal, it takes everything you have, but you’re going to go home with a medal. The bronze medal match is the gnarly-est match I’ve ever played in my career because you go home with a beautiful medal or you get nothing.”

Set one saw the USA go down 4-2 but battle to make it 7-all before slipping down 11-10 at a timeout. Brazil moved quickly to take the frame, 21-17.

“We were trying so hard,” said Ross. “It was all about being together. Things didn’t go our way in the first set. We just kept trying and trying and trying to get something to go our way. We figured out the point that did it was… we were down 13-14 and I got a hand on a dig, but it sprayed and Kerri chased it down into the banner. She got it up and we got it over for 14-14. That was just the little bit of mojo that we needed. We seriously had to fight for every point after that as well.”

The second set saw momentum shift for Ross and Walsh Jennings. After falling behind 11-8, the U.S. pair rallied back within one, 13-12 before turning the tide and tying it 14-14 after a spectacular play by Walsh Jennings to save the ball at the edge of the playing field.

From that moment, Ross and Walsh Jennings led 16-14 and picked up speed to go on a 5-3 run to take the frame 21-17 and push for an all-out battle for bronze in a third set.

USA jumped ahead 2-1 in the third but like the preceding sequences of the match, the teams traded points, tying 4-4. For the 7-6 lead, Walsh Jennings went off at the net, defending the U.S. side in beast mode for the lead. Soon after, the duo reached double-digits first, 10-8, and on a 5-1 streak and back-to-back blocks by Walsh Jennings, the USA locked in bronze.

“I talked to myself all day today,” Ross said. “I was in shock last night and it slowly got worse throughout the day. I spent a lot of time in bed with my eyes closed, visualizing, trying to get up for this match. It was tough, but once we got here, our coach Marcio (Sicoli) gave us the most amazing pep talk. He snapped us out of it and it was like determination from that point on. It even grew in that match. We realized that we were going to have to really fight for it, like we should, and we did, it was so gnarly. So, so gnarly.”

With the bronze, Walsh Jennings and Ross finished the Olympics with a new team record of 151-27, 56-8 of that in 2016. The USA has 10 Olympic medals since beach volleyball was incepted in 1996, six gold, two silver, two bronze. Brazil will have 13 total after Thursday’s men’s final, but only two gold, seven silver, three bronze and a TBD gold/silver from the men’s side.

Walsh Jennings is also now the most decorated Olympic beach athlete (male or female) in the sport.

DAY IN REVIEW
2016 Olympic Games | Aug. 17
– April Ross/Kerri Walsh Jennings won bronze on Aug. 17 after defeating Larissa Franca/Talita Antunes, 12-21, 21-17, 15-9 .The duo went 6-1 during the 2016 Olympics and Walsh Jennings earned her fourth Olympic medal, Ross her second.

RESULTS
Aug. 6, Gibb/Patterson def Qatar 21-16, 21-16
Aug. 6, Ross/Walsh Jennings def Australia 21-14, 21-13
Aug. 7, Fendrick/Sweat loss Poland 14-21, 21-13, 15-7
Aug. 7, Dalhausser/Lucena def Tunisia 21-7, 21-13
Aug. 8, Gibb/Patterson loss Austria 21-18, 21-18
Aug. 8, Ross/Walsh Jennings def China 21-16, 21-9
Aug. 9, Dalhausser/Lucena def Mexico 21-14, 21-17
Aug. 9, Fendrick/Sweat loss Brazil 21-16, 21-13
Aug. 10, Gibb/Patterson loss Spain 21-19, 16-21, 15-7
Aug. 10, Ross/Walsh Jennings def Switzerland 21-13, 22-24, 15-12
Aug. 11, Fendrick/Sweat loss Russia 21-18, 24-26, 15-13
Aug. 11, Dalhausser/Lucena def Italy 21-13, 17-21, 24-22
Aug. 12, Ross/Walsh Jennings def Italy 21-10, 21-16; Round of 16
Aug. 13, Dalhausser/Lucena def Austria 21-14, 21-15; Round of 16
Aug. 14, Ross/Walsh Jennings def Australia 21-14, 21-16; Quarterfinal
Aug. 15, Dalhausser/Lucena loss Brazil 21-14, 12-21, 15-9; Quarterfinal
Aug. 16, Ross/Walsh Jennings loss Brazil 22-20, 21-18; Semifinal
Aug. 17, Ross/Walsh Jennings def Brazil Larissa Franca/Talita Antunes 17-21, 21-17, 15-9; Bronze Medal

FINAL RANKINGS
3rd April Ross/Kerri Walsh Jennings
t5th Phil Dalhausser/Nick Lucena
t19th Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat
t19th Jake Gibb/Casey Patterson