Ross captures San Fran Open crown

SAN FRANCISCO — Former Newport Harbor High star April Ross teamed with partner Jen Kessy to claim the duo’s third Assn. of Volleyball Professionals tournament title this season by winning the San Francisco Open on Sunday.

Ross and Kessy, the No. 2-seeded team, defeated top-seeded Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs, 16-21, 21-19, 15-12, in an 80-minute final.

Ross and Kessy split $24,000, adding to previous AVP wins this season in New Jersey and Houston.

Ross had 15 kills and four aces in the finals, managing seven kills and two aces in the decisive third set.

In the men’s tournament, Costa Mesa resident Jake Gibb and Corona del Mar resident Sean Rosenthal finished tied for third, after losing to top-seeded and eventual champion Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, 13-21, 21-15, 15-13, in a 61-minute semifinal.

Ty Loomis, who played at UC Irvine and resides in Corona del Mar, teamed with Casey Patterson to finish tied for seventh, while Estancia High product Matt Fuerbringer and partner Reid Priddy earned a share of 13th place.

Former UCI standout Whitney Pavlik and partner Stacy Rouwenhorst shared 13th place in the women’s event, where former Anteater Kelly Wing and partner Tara Kuk finished tied for 17th.

Newport Harbor product Ty Tramblie and former UCI performer Russ Marchewka finished tied for 17th in the men’s event, as did Newport Beach resident Jonathan Acosta and his partner, Paul Baxter.

— From staff reports