April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball players who have won medals during multiple Olympics. She will be competing in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic gold medal along with Alix Klineman, a first time Olympian. Ross wants to achieve more than her first Olympic medal. In fact, at 39, this could be her last chance to achieve it. However, she's convinced that top prizes are within reach. Ross told NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or play a great game and they are able to play well, the team could win a gold medal. "I'm planning to test a little luck." Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. She lived here along with her parents and sister. Along with participating in a variety of sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. Being a pre-athlete she played indoor volleyball and track. While she did well when playing indoors but it was apparent that her abilities were higher than average. In her college profile, she played outside of the hitter middle blocker, as well as a setter throughout her volleyball time during high school. Her efforts were recognized in 1999 when she was named Gatorade's National Circle of Champions Player of the Year. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her for volleyball. Although Ross Klineman and Ross are a couple from 2017 onward, the former was already an established athlete on the beach prior to their team. Actually Ross has won a number of major tournaments in her career together with two other partners. One of them is a volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to 2013. Alongside Kessy Ross, she was a major force on the international stage, claiming a world title in 2009. The duo eventually captured a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor clinched gold ahead of them. Ross Jennings took over for May-Treanor when she retired. They won the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016. Ross competed for USC Trojans during her college days, the years prior to her professional career. She had a great run during her time in the NCAA tournament. As a freshman in 2000 she played her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA The Freshman of the Year honors and was also an All-American. Her performance also assisted in helping the Trojans reach the Final Four. She suffered a devastating personal loss in her sophomore season and yet she went on to repeat in the ranks of an All-American. Through her last two years within the team, she guided the Trojans up to the summit by winning two three consecutive championships at the national level. For her part, she cemented her place as a legend when she won the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. The award is given to the top female college volleyball players in the country. Ross studied International Relations at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mom Margie never got to see her daughter ascend to the top levels of beach volleyball superstardom. Ross's mom passed away due to cancer of the breast when she was a sophomore at USC. She is devoted to her parents who passed away. Margie is a source of inspiration throughout her life, as well as on the beaches.