April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball players who have won medals in more than one Olympics. In Tokyo during the next few days she will attempt to net her third medal with fellow the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. More than that though Ross is aiming to capture her first Olympic gold. The next chance she'll ever have at age 39. She's certain that the top prizes can be achieved. If we do our top or do well, I believe we'll be able to win that gold medal Ross stated on NBC Boston. Also, it's a matter of chance. Ross, who was born 1982, and grew up within Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began participating in the sports of the Newport Harbor High School. In addition to playing in numerous sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. In her time as a college athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. In her final game she stood out. Through her high school years, she played middle blocker outside hitter and setter in the court for volleyball, according to her bio at the college. In recognition of her accomplishments she was awarded the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. She also won her the Orange County Athlete of the of the year for volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman are a couple since 2017, the former was already a big-time player on the beach scene long before their pairing. In actual, Ross has won several major tournaments in her career along with her two teammates. One of them is a legend. In the period 2007 to 2013 she teamed together with Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Alongside Kessy Ross, she was a major force on the international stage, claiming a world title in 2009. This duo went into winning a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team and Kerri Jennings took home the gold. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor when she retired. In 2016, the duo were awarded bronze medals at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross was a student athlete at USC Trojans prior to beginning the start of her professional career. She was a player in high school, as well as some years before she hit the beach as a professional. Her time in the Trojans' ranks was a memorable one. In 2000, as a freshman she earned Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman of the Year accolades. She also earned an All-American. The Trojans could also get to the Final Four with her help. Her sophomore year was the time she was devastated by a personal setback but managed to be a second All-American. Over her final 2 years in the Trojans program, she guided the team to win a national championship every year. In 2003-04, Ross was named the best collegiate female volleyball player in the United States by The Honda Sports Award. Ross who was an USC international relations student was a star in volleyball. Margie Ross did not get to witness her daughter's climb to the beach volleyball spotlight. As of 2001, when Ross was a sophomore at USC her mother passed away from breast cancer. In the aftermath, Ross remains close to her parent who died. And Margie remains a source of inspiration to her on the beaches and throughout life.