In an exciting Women’s Finals, April Ross and Lauren Fendrick captured the 2017 AVP New York City Open, Gold Series. The fans showed up record numbers and made this year’s Open the largest-ever Big Apple Beach Volleyball crowd, and they were not disappointed. The atmosphere was electric and the crowd was treated to a high-quality, intense final.
The Semi-Finals of the day began with the women’s matches back-to-back on Stadium Court. The No. 5 ranked team of Summer Ross (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Brooke Sweat (Estero, Fla.) fought against a prepared No. 3 partnership of Kim DiCello (San Diego, Calif.) and Emily Stockman (Colorado Springs, Colo.), but eventually defeated them in two sets with a final score of 26-24, 21-15.
In a three set, heated match, Ross and Fendrick overtook a fearsome No. 1 ranked Emily Day (Torrance, Calif.) and Brittany Hochevar (Fowler, Colo.) with a final score of 21-18, 21-15, 15-13.
New AVP partners S. Ross and Sweat later faced the Women’s Final against A. Ross and Sweat’s former partner Fendrick. Though A. Ross sustained a toe injury in the earlier match against Hochevar and Day, the obstacle did not limit A. Ross’ skills as they overtook their opponents in two sets, 24-22, 21-15.
“April Ross is such a stud! It was so insane battling beside her knowing she was limited by her toe, but I think it actually helped our defensive line-up and timing, and those pieces we will take with us moving forward,” said an ecstatic Fendrick. “This was my first time competing in New York City so the energy of the crowd, the incredible backdrop, and the first Gold Series made for a really special win.”
“During the national anthem, I thought about my mom who battled breast cancer with such courage. Then, I thought, ‘It’s just a toe,’” said A. Ross. “Lauren played so amazing. She put me on her back and carried me through.”
Cover photo courtesy of AVP.com (Fendrick A.Ross Champagne Shower_Robert Beck)
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