April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball players who have won medals in multiple Olympics. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian and will join her at Tokyo. Ross's dream is to earn her first Olympic gold medal. The next opportunity she gets to do so at the age of 39. But she's convinced that top honors are firmly within reach. Ross stated via NBC Boston: "If we try our best, and even playing well I'm sure we'll get the gold medal." "I'm also going to try a little luck." Ross was born in the city of Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents and sister lived in the area. Ross went on to play in numerous sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. As a prep-athlete she was also a participant in indoor volleyball and track. However she was clearly a cut above the rest when it came to the second sport. As a high school volleyball career in her university biography she played as a middle-blocker, outside-hitter and setter. The results of her efforts were acknowledged by her being named 1999 Gatorade's Circle Of Champions National Players of the Year. The 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her in volleyball. Ross and Klineman might have started working together in the year 2017, however Ross was already an established player at the beach before they teamed up. As a matter of fact, Ross has won several major tournaments in her career with two partners. One is a volleyball legend. From 2007 to 2013 she played with Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the World Championships in 2009. The duo eventually captured a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The Misty Maytreanor legendary team along with Kerri Jennings took home the gold. Ross Jennings was the replacement for May-Treanor as she announced her retirement. They won the bronze medal in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics 2016. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC in her college years before becoming a professional. The Trojans had a great performance for Ross during her time at the university. When she was a freshman in 2000 the Trojans' performance earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman-of-the-Year honors. The Trojans also reached the Final Four. The Trojans suffered a heartbreaking personal loss during her sophomore year and yet she went on to repeat as an All-American. In her last two seasons in the Trojans' program the team was led to victories by winning consecutive national championships. She had established her place as a legend by winning the 2003-2004 Honda Sports Award as the nation's top female collegiate volleyball player. Ross was an international relations student at USC. Margie Ross wasn't able to see her daughter's rise to fame as a beach volleyball player. Ross's mom died from cancer of the breast in 2001. Ross had just become an undergraduate student in the second year at USC. As a result, Ross continues to be close to her deceased parent. Margie at the beach as well as in everyday life, is still a source of inspiration for her.