'Amazing tribute' to U-High volleyball player Brionna Ross who died suddenly this week

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I glanced over my shoulder as I left the gym and one number remained on the scoreboard.

It was the No. 12 that University High sophomore Brionna Ross wore just three nights earlier.

Practically everyone in attendance for the Cubs’ Thursday volleyball match with McKinley wore their emotions on their sleeve and many were dressed in purple, Ross’ favorite color.

U-High winning the match 3-0 is a small part of the story. The nondistrict contest Athletic Director Jill White called “a celebration of life” for Ross was that and more. The 15-year-old died hours after the Cubs played Ascension Catholic on Monday night in Donaldsonville. The West Baton Rouge coroner's office cited viral pneumonia as the cause of death, according to her family.

“We were ready to pull the plug at any point if we felt the girls couldn’t handle it,” U-High coach Bonita Johnson said. “I never imagined anything like this. The support and the people who came out … it was just an amazing tribute for Brionna Ross.

“Once they were into the game, I thought our girls did a good job of focusing on that and then finishing. We appreciate McKinley coming out and letting us have this celebration.”

Emotions ran high all night. Extra bleachers were pulled out before the junior varsity contest was completed and fans cheered each point, also noting the play of Ross’ sister, Ciera, an eighth-grader on the JV team.

Teurlings Catholic came from Lafayette. Local teams, including Woodlawn, Catholic-Pointe Coupee, Parkview Baptist and The Dunham School, were there too, along with Volleyball Baton Rouge teammates of Ross.

Symbolism was as important as the emotion. The Cubs started all three sets with one player missing, a remembrance of Ross. Each time U-High scored its 12th-point in a set, there was an ovation.

Players from Woodlawn and Teurlings Catholic led a cheer that echoed from section-to-section of the gym before the final set with the U-High players joining in. UHS students stormed the court and surrounded the team after the match. Players from other schools rocked from side to side in the stands, some using cell phone lights like candles.

“She was my best friend, and we did it for her,” freshman Colleen Temple said, trying to fight back tears. “I felt like she was here with us.”

Ross’ family sat near the top of the bleachers. They were showered with hugs during and after the match.

“She was loved,” Ross’ mother Candace Robillard said. “We know she was loved and touched a lot of people in her life. I know she is smiling down on us now, saying ‘Oh my gosh.’ ”

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