Locals earn runner-up purses at AVP opener

Former Newport Harbor High volleyball star April Ross and partner Jen Kessy lost to Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh in the women’s final of the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals season-opening tournament Sunday in Panama City, Fla.

Ross and Kessy fell, 16-21, 21-18, 15-9, to Youngs and Branagh, who are staking their claim to the women’s division, which is without Newport Harbor High product Misty May (Achilles’ surgery) and Kerri Walsh (maternity) this season.

Costa Mesa resident Jake Gibb and partner Sean Rosenthal, now a Corona del Mar resident, were defeated in the men’s final, 19-21, 21-18, 15-9, Sunday.

Ross, as well as the local men’s runners-up shared $18,000.

Estancia High product Matt Fuerbringer, competing with Stein Metzger, finished tied for fifth in the men’s draw and shared $6,240.

The AVP Tour’s next event is scheduled April 17 through 19 in Riverside.

— From staff reports