April Ross

April Ross is one of just a handful of female beach volleyball athletes who have won medals in multiple Olympics. Alix Klineman has become a brand new Olympian and is set to join her at Tokyo. Ross will also be hoping for her first Olympic gold. In fact, at 39, this could be her last chance to accomplish this. She's certain that the top prizes can be achieved. Ross was quoted on NBC Boston as saying that If you put in your best, even if you perform well, you will win the gold. Therefore, I'm hoping to have a little bit of luck too. Ross was born on August 22nd, 1982 located in Costa Mesa California. She resided there with her family. In addition to playing in numerous sports, Ross also attended Newport Harbor High School. Her pre-athletic career comprised indoor volleyball along with basketball, running and track. But she stood out at this level. Her college biography states that she played outside of the hitter middle blocker, as well as a setter throughout her volleyball time at high school. In recognition of her accomplishments she was awarded the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. She also captured the 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Year trophy for volleyball. Ross and Klineman have been performing their roles from 2017. But, Ross was a major player in the beach volleyball scene prior to the pair. She's won big competitions with different players. The other has become an iconic player in the volleyball world. She teamed up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's personal trainer. Along with Kessy Ross was awarded an Olympic Title in 2009, while racing internationally. They took home a Silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. The Misty Maytreanor legendary team and Kerri Jennings won the gold. Ross was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. Together, they won bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in 2016. In high school and the many years before hitting the beach as a professional Ross played for the USC Trojans as an collegiate. Her time at the school was an impressive one. In her first year at the school, 2000 earned her the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of Award and also be named an All-American. In addition, she helped her Trojans to make it to the Final Four. The Trojans were devastated through a tragedy in her life during her sophomore years, yet she went on to be an All-American in her second year. During her final two seasons in the Trojans' program, she led them to victory by winning successive national titles. She had established herself as an all-time great winning the 2003-04 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 climb to fame as a beach volleyball player. In 2001 when Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother passed away due to breast cancer. Ross is still awed by her late parent. Also, Margie remains a source of encouragement for her on the beach as well as in everyday her daily life.