April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball stars to win medals at more than one Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal with Alix Klineman, who is a first time Olympian. More than that though Ross is aiming to capture the first Olympic gold. At 39, it may be her last shot. Nevertheless she is confident that winning the gold medal is within reach. Ross said on NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or play a great game, she believes the team can win a gold medal. Also, it's the result of luck. Ross is born in the year 1982. Costa Mesa California where she resided with her parents and sister. She was able to participate in a myriad of activities in Newport Harbor High School. In addition to playing indoor volleyball, she also played basketball and jogged track as a pre-collegiate athlete. She was definitely the best in the game of indoor volleyball. As a time at the high school level, according to her college biography she played as an outside-hitter, middle blocker and setter. In recognition of her work she was awarded in 1999 as the Gatorade Champion of Champions Circle of Champions Player of the Year. Also, in 2000 she was recognized as the Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Ross and Klineman may have begun working together in the year 2017, however Ross was already an established athlete at the beach prior to when they came together. It's true that she has been able to win multiple events, one of which was with an iconic volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to the year 2013. Kessy was Ross's partner on the World Championships in 2009. They won a Silver Medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor clinched gold beating them to it. It was fate that had them. Ross turned out to be Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. In 2016, the duo won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC during her college days, years before becoming a professional. Her career was a success during her time in the NCAA tournament. In her first year at the school, 2000 earned her the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of the Award and also be named an All-American. She was also a key player to help the Trojans make the Final Four. The Trojans suffered a significant personal loss in her sophomore, yet was capable of achieving the All-American distinction. In her last two years of participation in the Trojans program, she guided them to a national title every time. Individually she had cemented herself as an all-time legend having won the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Margie Ross did not see her daughter achieve the heights of the beach volleyball ladder. Ross's mom Margie passed away in 2001. Ross was still a USC sophomore. The cancer was diagnosed as breast. However, she continues to remember her deceased parent close and dear. And Margie is an ongoing source of inspiration to her on the beach and in her daily life.