We caught up with Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist April Ross two days before she was named USA Volleyball’s head of coaching for the beach national teams, and discovered she was ready to quit the sport before she ever got started on the sand.
Ross, who won three Olympic medals, was an indoor volleyball All-American at Newport Harbor High and USC.
After earning Gatorade National Player of the Year in high school and NCAA Player of the Year at USC, and leading the Trojans to two national championships, Ross played three years of professional indoor volleyball in Puerto Rico.
But the injuries piled up and she was prepared to enroll in graduate school.
“My body just kind of fell apart,” she said. “You have a whole team of managers (in the U.S.). You have your coach, obviously, and then your physical therapists that work on you. You have your weightlifting coach, who keeps you strong so you don’t get hurt. When I went down to Puerto Rico, I didn’t have any of that. My body broke down. I came home, had surgery on my knee and I was like, ‘I’m done with volleyball. I’m not playing ever again.’”
Ross said weightlifting was a vital part of her training in high school and college, but she struggled doing it on her own in Puerto Rico. Ross couldn’t lift her arm above her shoulder by the end of her third season, and her knee hurt so much that she didn’t even finish her the season.
“It was a really tough time for my body,” said Ross, who quit playing volleyball and wanted to come home. She was unsure of her future and briefly worked as a hostess at House of Blues in Anaheim.
“I did not want to play volleyball anymore,” Ross said. “I was completely burned out. I was hurt and just not having any fun. I was missing my friends and family too much. I had made some money, which I was going to use to go back to school and earn a graduate degree.
“For that summer, during an interim period of time, I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do. My stepsister was the manager at House of Blues in Downtown Disney and she offered me a job, so I went through the whole application process and she helped me get a job there and I worked there for a summer,” Ross said. “I remember once the men’s U.S. national team came in and I seated them at one point. It’s kind of funny. They trained right down the street in Anaheim and they all came in one night to eat. They enjoyed it and had a good time.”
Then, fate intervened.
A former college teammate and roommate, Keao Burdine, called and asked if Ross could play with her in a couple of beach tournaments.
“I was just doing it for fun,” said Ross. It took some time and a few bumpy rides before Ross could fully settle into the beach game.
“My knee had healed and so I just said ‘why not,’” Ross said. “I was really bad, so it was like starting over again, starting a new sport. I had to learn so much. But I fell in love with the sport and the culture and the people.”
Ross had no plans to make a career out of beach volleyball, she said. “I didn’t know the basic differences, which now would be considered pretty stupid questions, and I had a lot to learn.”
Ross said. Ross and Burdine failed to advance past six qualifiers on the AVP Tour, and, well, that hostess job at House of Blues was sounding better and better.
Ross retired in 2024, fulfilled after winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games and earning silver and bronze medals in the previous two Olympics.
“There was a lot of relief after (winning gold), and we (her partner was Alix Klineman) were elated and on cloud nine,” Ross said. “You accomplished what you set out to do. At the time, even when we were still in Tokyo, I felt a lot of closure, because I was 39 at the time and pretty decently older in terms of beach volleyball and Olympic volleyball and playing at that level.
“After that, I knew it was unlikely I would continue to play, regardless of how I did in tournaments. The gold medal sealed the deal for me,” Ross added. “Honestly, I was ready to go home. I played more (AVP Tour) volleyball after the Olympics at Manhattan Beach and Chicago, and we ended up winning those two tournaments. But it was hard to get motivated.”
Ross said she started to consider life after beach volleyball.
“I went through an identity crisis while coming down after the Olympics and I think that happened because I knew I had accomplished that final thing,” she said. “I am so grateful that I was able to reach my goals at the pinnacle of our sport.
“From my time at Newport Harbor, I don’t know why I’m like this, but it’s always about the next step. I made varsity, then can I get starting spot? We won CIF, now can we win state? Then I wasn’t even thinking about a scholarship, until I received my first (college recruiting) letter. Then it was OK, which college should I go to? And can I earn a starting spot? Can we win a national championship? What is the next step? I did that my whole career,” Ross said. “Can we win the gold medal at the Olympics? Once that was checked off, my job is done here.
“Even when I came back last summer on the AVP Tour, after having my son, the motivation wasn’t there and I didn’t have an ultimate goal to chase,” she added. “I had fun, and I’m glad I got to play with Alix and I did that. But it was a very different feeling.”
Richard Dunn, a longtime sportswriter, writes the Dunn Deal column regularly for The Orange County Register’s weekly, The Coastal Current North.
Izzy Starck has found a new home.
The former Nittany Lion will stay in the Keystone State as she has transferred to Pitt.
Starck was Freshman of the Year, an All-American and won a national championship in her lone full season with the blue and white.
Starck will now face Penn State at least once a season with the Panthers, in the annual Keystone State Rivalry match.
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It’s a rare occurrence for Penn State in the rankings.
Dec. 24, 2025, 5:15 a.m. CT
Wisconsin volleyball has found its backup setter.
Class of 2026 setter Isabelle Hoppe has flipped her commitment from Pittsburgh to Wisconsin, she announced on Dec. 23 via Instagram.
She fills the void left by Addy Horner – Wisconsin’s 2025 backup setter and the starter while Charlie Fuerbringer was out – who announced her plans to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 19 and committed to TCU earlier on Dec. 23.
Hoppe was rated No. 21 nationally and No. 3 among setters in Prep Dig’s 2026 recruiting rankings. Her outlook at Pitt recently changed as the Panthers signed former Penn State setter Izzy Starck, who was the 2024 AVCA national freshman of the year.
Hoppe is 5-foot-8 and hails from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. She was named an Under Armour All-American and competed on USA Volleyball’s 2025 U19 world championship team. When she signed with Pitt earlier this year, Pitt coach Dan Fisher said she was a “proven setter at the high school, club and USA Volleyball levels.”
She is the fifth incoming freshman for the Badgers in 2026, joining outside hitters Halle Thompson and Audrey Flanagan and middle blockers Lynney Tarnow and Kymora Scott.
The Homewood High School volleyball team finished as one of the top eight teams in Class 6A this fall, making its appearance at the state volleyball tournament Oct. 28 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
The Patriots matched up with a stout Saraland team in the opening round of the tournament, falling in three sets to close the season with a 25-20 record.
Homewood was in the state tournament for the first time since 2021. The Patriots won three straight matches in the North Super Regional Tournament last week to advance.
“I’m so grateful for our community, our kids and for this to be the new standard; to expect to be here and want to be here,” Homewood head coach Grace Burgess said. “The kids worked so hard with that in mind the whole season, but without talking too much about it. They believe in themselves and they’re confident kids.
Saraland won the state tournament match in straight sets: 25-20, 25-21, 27-25. The Spartans put forth a tremendous rally to draw even late in the third set and eventually prevailed.
For Homewood, Mary Ellis Jarmon led the offense with 12 kills, adding a pair of aces. Walker Binkley added seven kills and four blocks. Kamryn Coleman directed things with 34 assists, also compiling eight digs and four aces. Sarah Johnson nearly had a double-double, finishing with nine kills and nine digs. Addison Wood had six digs and an ace as well.
The Patriots will conclude their season as the only team from Alabama to knock off 7A favorite McGill-Toolen. They also defeated 6A semifinalist Saraland during the year. They won the area championship, finished runner-up at regionals and advanced to the gold bracket in all but one of their tournaments this year.
“The season was up and down, but they never stopped working when things weren’t going well,” Burgess said. “They didn’t listen when people said they couldn’t accomplish anything. The fact it worked out for them makes me really happy for them.”
The University of Wisconsin volleyball program saw significant transfer portal action as soon as the Badgers’ season ended.
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Photos: Wisconsin volleyball 2025 season in photos
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) serves against UW Milwaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew (17) is greeted by fans after taking the floor prior to a match against Southern California at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin defenders jump to block a spike by Kansas outside hitter Jovana Zelenovic (9) on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
The Wisconsin student section reacts after Wisconsin wins the third set against Kansas on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball for a spike against Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wiss.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan, left, and middle blocker Carter Booth, right, go up for a block against UC-Davis Sept. 4.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) and Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) yell after a block to win the first set against Purdue on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) elevates to contest a ball at the net against Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) is introduced prior to the match against Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) high-fives kids lined up before playing UC-Davis on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) hits the floor after saving the ball from touching the ground against Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) helps setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) off the floor after losing a point to Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield huddles with his senior players following the teamÕs win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) watches as the ball flies in the air before a serve against Notre Dame on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) goes up for a spike against UC-Davis on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin players react after a Minnesota touch goes out of bounds on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
The Wisconsin bench celebrates after a point against UW Milwaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) attempts to spike over three Iowa defenders on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Nebraska middle blocker Rebekah Allick (5) yells after a block on Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
A young fan smiles after getting a high-five from a Wisconsin player during introductions against Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic (1) dives for a ball flying out of bounds against Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) is introduced prior to the teamÕs non-conference match against Florida at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) blocks a spike against Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Madison Quest (10) emerges from the locker room before playing Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin right side hitter Addy Horner (2) and Wisconsin middle blocker Natalie Wardlow (12) collide trying to set the ball against Nebraska on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) extends to hit a ball going out of bounds against Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew (17) and right side hitter Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) put up a block against Indiana outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (24) in the first set of a match at the UW Field House in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) lines up a bump after a return by Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) reacts after a point against Kansas on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin players, including Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew, left, and libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) celebrate the teamÕs win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Just two days after winning a national championship, Jamie Morrison and Aggie volleyball announced the signing of two Division One transfers.
Texas A&M added graduate transfer and All-American Natalie Ring from Marquette and Ohio State’s Kaia Castle.
Volleyball is one of six revenue-sharing sports at Texas A&M, and following the national title match, Morrison acknowledged the university’s financial commitment to recruiting.
“Our administration’s really stepped up and said, hey, we really want you to be competitive on the national landscape. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that,” Morrison said.
Ring led the Golden Eagles to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and landed on the All-America third team. She was also named a unanimous All-Big East selection. She had a career-high 29 kills in a close loss to No. 2 Louisville in the NCAA Tournament.
The Madison, Wisconsin native ranked No. 16 in the nation with 4.60 kills per set.
“We are excited to add Natalie to our Aggie family here in Aggieland,” Morrison said. “She brings a wealth of experience as a well-rounded outside hitter and is a relentless competitor who consistently raised her level against the best competition. The 12th Man is going to love her fire, spirit and the way she plays the game.”
Castle is a redshirt sophomore and averaged 1.94 kills per set as a middle blocker.
“We value speed at the middle blocker position and it’s rare to see someone with Kaia’s length who can move the way she does,” Morrison said. “Beyond the physical tools, she is an incredible human. I truly enjoyed every part of the recruiting process with Kaia and can’t wait to have her here in Aggieland.”
Castle recorded 91 blocks this year for the Buckeyes and broke the program’s single-match block record with 15 against Troy.
The Aggies were quick to get to work on building for next season and remaining at the top of the college volleyball landscape.
“We’re going to sit down, and we’re going to enjoy this as much as we possibly can,” Morrison said. “And then we’re going to get to work and go do it again.”
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Seventeen Lake Orion High School student-athletes signed national letters of intent on Dec. 17 to their sports careers at the collegiate level. Photo by Joseph Goral
ORION TWP. — Seventeen senior athletes signed letters of intent at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17 to play sports at the collegiate level.
The athletes represent eight sports – swimming, lacrosse, soccer, football, baseball, cross country, dance and track and field.
“Congratulations to all of you on joining a small group of high school athletes around the country that get the opportunity to pursue their athletic careers while pursuing their education,” LOHS Athletic Director Chris Bell said.
Several coaches joined Bell to introduce the athletes honored last week
Swimming
Briana Hernandez will swim for Wayne State University where she plans to study biochemistry or chemical biology. Hernandez scored a team-leading 218 points this season, finished first 11 times, was a key member of LOHS’s state team, and is fourth all time in school history for the 50-meter freestyle event.
Samantha O’Kronley (left) and Leo Cassell sign letters of intent on Dec. 17 to play college sports. Photos by Joseph Goral
Maddox LaMothe will continue his swimming career at St. Olaf College in Minnesota and study music education. LaMoth will be a sprint freestyle and breast stroke specialist at St. Olaf College. He has scored 149 points, finished first 12 times and is a league champion in the 100-meter breast stroke event at LOHS.
Lacrosse
JC McClung will play lacrosse at Saginaw Valley State University. McClung has been a varsity starter at Lake Orion since her sophomore year, scored 27 points during her junior year, and will be a captain during her senior season.
Brielle Coventry will play lacrosse at Lewis University in Illinois where she will study aviation administration. Coventry has also been a varsity player since her sophomore year, has scored 75 goals, and was named to the all-state third team in 2025 and to the all-OAA Red team.
Curtis Meech will continue his lacrosse career at Lake Erie College, and began playing lacrosse for Lake Orion Community schools 10 years ago. Head lacrosse coach Chris Wood said Meech is a vocal leader and a reliable, lead-by-example defender.
Maddox LaMothe (left) and Brooke Armstrong sign letters of intent to play college sports.
Quentin Rohlfing will play lacrosse for Kalamazoo College. In his three years playing LOHS lacrosse, Wood said Rohlfing established himself as a relentless competitor, a quick learner in the mid-field, and said Rohlfing is a hard-working individual.
Soccer
Brooke Armstrong will play soccer at Michigan Technological University where she will study biochemistry. Armstrong earned district and league honors during the spring and is a fierce competitor that LOHS is thankful to have on their team, head varsity coach Amanda Hutchinson said.
Lilly Brodoski will play soccer for Calvin University where she will study politics, philosophy and economics. She has been on LOHS’s soccer team since her freshman year, earned league honors her sophomore and junior years, along with the OAA Sportsmanship Award, and is a versatile player who can contribute in many positions on the field, Hutchinson said.
Seniors JC McClung (left) and Brielle Coventry are introduced on Dec. 17.
Football
Leo Cassell will play football at Alma College and study biology. A defensive and offensive lineman, Bell called Cassell a smart player who knows the game, and said he works hard, is unselfish, and was willing to play whatever role his team needed.
Brody Thompson will play football for Northwood University where he will pursue a business degree. Thompson predominantly played quarterback for the Dragons, is a threat running and throwing the football and won a leadership award last season, Bell said.
Alex Hensley will also play football at Northwood University. A starting inside linebacker, Bell described Hensley as an old-fashioned, Orion-tough physical football player. Hensley was also a captain last season, led the Dragons in tackles for the last two seasons and was selected to the all-league team and all-region first team this season.
Quentin Rohlfing (right) and Curtis Meech are introduced by boys varsity lacrosse head coach Chris Wood before a crowd at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17.
Ryan Rocheleau will play football for Western Michigan University. Bell called Rocheleau the best tight end in Lake Orion History. Rocheleau caught 30 passes for more than 500 yards and five touchdowns, was selected to the all-league first team and all-region first team and was a team captain.
Baseball
Ozzie Schons will play baseball at Alpena Community College where he will study mathematics. Head varsity baseball coach Andy Schramek said Schons chose Alpena Community College for its culture.
Riley Bendle will play baseball at Kellogg Community College and pursue a career as a doctor. Schramek said Kellogg Community College will give Bendle the chance to develop as a player for two years before transferring to a university.
Dance
Samantha O’Kronley will dance at Alma College where she plans to study sports medicine. O’Kronley has been in Lake Orion’s dance program since seventh grade, and was described as always dependable and hardworking by a teammate.
Lilly Brodoski signs a letter of intent to play soccer for Calvin University.
Cross country and track and field
Max Houvener will be running cross country and competing in track and field at Oakland University. Houvener qualified for the state finals in the 3,200-meter relay his freshman year, and finished no lower than 10th in any race over the last two years, except for at the state finals, varsity coach Andrew McDonald said.
Mikaela Redman will be competing in track and field at Northwood University. McDonald called Redman a very versatile athlete, and a leader in the school’s track-and-field program for the last four years.
Mikaela Redman signs a letter of intent on Dec. 17 to compete in track and field at Northwood University.
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