Carlsbad High sophomore Summer Ross loves volleyball – indoor and on the beach.
After listening to the passion in Ross' voice when she talks about the game, those who haven't played volleyball might want to start. Ross makes it sound as if she'd play on hot coals as long as a net and a ball were available.
Ross' fascination with volleyball stems from her family. Her brother, Chase, who plays at Pepperdine University, was the San Diego Section Player of the Year for Carlsbad in 2007.
“Our parents brought us up around beach volleyball and my brother was into indoor so he got me into it,” Summer Ross said. “Chase makes me want to go further in the sport.”
Just don't ask Ross to choose between the hard court and the sand.
“That's like asking to pick between a mom and a dad,” Ross said. “I love the team aspect indoors, but I love hitting the ball really hard on the beach.”
She has been successful on both surfaces. As a freshman, Ross helped Carlsbad reach the section Division I championship match. Last summer, she spent a week in England playing on the beach in the under-21 world championships.
Ross, 15, and her partner, Jane Croson, 14, advanced out of pool play to finish ninth among 32 teams, often facing competition five to seven years older.
“It was my first time out of the country and was a great learning experience,” Ross said. “I would definitely do it again because it made me a better player.”
Ross knows there is more to learn about improving her game. That's why she turned to Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. Ross met the Olympic gold medalists at a pro volleyball event in San Diego.
“I spent about five minutes with them and got them to sign a bag for a teammate,” Ross said. “They told me to go for my dreams and never stop.”
There is still one volleyball player Ross would like to meet: Karch Kiraly, the only person to win Olympic gold medals in beach and indoor volleyball.
“First, I would ask him for an autograph,” Ross said. “Then I would ask him what I should keep doing because he's so controlled in passing, and his attitude is so great.”
Those who know Ross say her attitude is one reason for her success.
“She's super funny, always smiling and doesn't really get frustrated,” said Carlsbad co-captain Robin Rostratter, who plays alongside Ross as an outside hitter. “She's only a sophomore and is already way ahead of schedule of where she is supposed to be.”
Carlsbad coach Kristin Tomkinson is impressed by Ross' ambition.
“She's very bubbly and youthful because this is what she enjoys doing,” said Tomkinson, who is in her first year as coach of the Lancers girls team. “I think anyone who has ambition can only help their game by gaining knowledge wherever they can find it. She's jazzed to participate in everything she can because she's happy to be here.”
