April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic gold medal. She is among only a handful of female players of beach volleyball that have achieved this feat. Alix Klineman, taking part for the very first time at the Tokyo Olympics is hoping to secure her third gold medal. Ross hopes to win the Olympic the first medal of gold however, she also hopes for greater. Since she's 39 years old and has a long way to go, this could be her last shot. But she's convinced that the top awards are in reach. Ross stated to NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or play a great game, she believes the team could win a gold medal. "I'm trying to also try some luck." Ross was born August 22nd, 1982 in Costa Mesa California. She lived there together with her parents. Ross played in numerous sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. Her prep athletic career included indoor volleyball along with basketball, running and track. However she was clearly an edge over the other players in the latter sport. As per her biography, during high school she was a volleyball player as an outside setter (middle blocker) as well as a setting (outside blocker). For her efforts, she was honored as the 1999 Gatorade Champion of Champions Circle of Champions Player of the Year. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her due to her volleyball skills. Ross and Klineman are continuing to play in the year 2017. However, Ross was an important player on the beach volleyball circuit before joining the duo. She has had the chance to win numerous tournaments, including one with an iconic volleyball player. Between 2007 and 2013, she was partnered with Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Ross, the teammate of Kessy's, who took home the title of world champion alongside Kessy in 2009 was also a major force on world stage. They were awarded a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty Maytreanor's legendary team along with Kerri Jennings won the gold. Ross Jennings was Walsh Jennings partner in fate when Maytreanor retired. The team won bronze in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics 2016. Ross began her collegiate time with the Trojans at USC after high school. It was a long time before Ross made her debut on the beach and became a professional. The time she spent at USC was an impressive one. In 2000 she was voted Pac-10 Freshman and NCAA Freshman Of The Year. She was also named an All-American. Her Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four. In her sophomore year, she experienced a devastating personal setback but managed to repeat as an All-American. Through her final two seasons with the Trojans she was instrumental in helping them achieve consecutive championships. Ross was an excellent player on the court, and was awarded the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female volleyball player at the college level. Ross studied the field of international relations in USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the privilege of watching her daughter grow into an international beach volleyball star. In 2001 when Ross was in her sophomore year at USC her mother passed away due to breast cancer. She has kept her parent close to the heart. Margie is a constant source of inspiration to her, both on and off the beach.