April Ross

April Ross has won more than one medal at the Olympics. She is among only a handful of female beach volleyball players to have achieved this feat. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian who will be joining her at Tokyo. Ross is determined to earn more than her first Olympic medal. With her age of 39, this may be Ross' last chance to take home an Olympic gold. However, she's convinced that top prizes are within reach. If we perform at our very best or even if we do well, I believe we'll win the gold medal Ross stated on NBC Boston. That's why I'm taking the chance also. Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. She grew up in Costa Mesa with her mother, father and sister. The athletic pursuits she pursued was continued by Newport Harbor High School where she participated in several different sports. As a pre-schooler, she competed in basketball, indoor volleyball and running track. Although she was a pro at indoor volleyball but it was apparent that her performance was above normal. As per her biography in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside setter (middle blocker) and setter (outside blocker). She was named the Gatorade National Circle of Champions Player of the year in 1999 for her achievements. She also captured the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the Award for volleyball. Ross is playing with Klineman since 2017, but Ross's beach game had been established long before this. In fact, she won numerous major events with two different partners, one of which is a volleyball icon. From 2007 to 2013 she played with Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Kessy and Ross were a formidable force in the international arena, taking home a 2009 world title with each other. They went on to win a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the group to beat out for gold. Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. The pair won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. In high school and the many years before hitting the sand as a pro Ross played to the Trojans at USC while an NCAA. Her time at the school was a memorable one. When she was a freshman at the school in 2000 she fought her way to Pac-10 and NCAA All-American Freshman of Year honors and was an All-American. The Trojans had the chance to make it to the Final Four with her help. Her sophomore year was the time she was devastated by a personal loss but still managed to repeat as an All-American. In her last two years in the Trojans team, she led the team to win a national championship every year. In 2003-2004, she was named as the most successful female volleyball player on the collegiate scene in the US by The Honda Sports Award. Ross was a major in international relations at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the opportunity to see her daughter grow into a beach volleyball superstar. In 2001 when Ross was a sophomore at USC her mother died of breast cancer. She has kept her parents close to her his heart. Margie continues to be an inspiration both on and off of the shore.