April Ross

April Ross has won more than one medal at the Olympics. She is one of a few women beach volleyball athletes who have done so. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian who will be joining her at Tokyo. But more than that, Ross hopes to win her very first Olympic gold. In fact, at 39, this could be her last opportunity to do so. She is still confident nevertheless. Ross declared on NBC Boston: "If we try our best, and even if we just play well I'm sure we'll be able to win gold." "I'm also going to try a little luck." Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa in 1982. Her family lived in the area along with her parents and younger sister. The athletic pursuits she pursued was continued by Newport Harbor High School where she was a part of a number of activities. Along with playing indoor volleyball, she also was a basketball player and also ran track in her pre-college days. Though she excelled at indoor volleyball however, it was evident that her performance was above average. Based on her biography, she was a middle blocker and an outside hitting volleyball player during her senior year at high school. In recognition of her accomplishments she was awarded the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. She also received her the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in volleyball. Ross and Klineman started their partnership in 2017, However, Ross had been a beach-scene player for years prior to. She has been able to win multiple events, one of which was with a legendary volleyball player. From 2007 until 2013 she was in a partnership by Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Kessy was Ross's partner on the World Championships of 2009. They won a Silver Medal at the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings, the legend team that was the winners of the 2012 Olympics in London, edged their opponents to claim the gold. Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. Together, they took home bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics of 2016. Ross was a player for the Trojans of USC in her the college years following her graduation from high school. Her time at USC was awe-inspiring. Her freshman year in 2000 was when she won the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of the Year awards and be an All-American. The Trojans had the chance to get to the Final Four with her help. Her heart was broken by a tragic incident in her second year, but she went on to be an All-American in her second year. Over her final two years in the program she led the Trojans to the top of the mountain winning three consecutive championships at the national level. As an individual, she established her place as a legend by winning the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the nation's top female collegiate volleyball player. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Margie Ross did not get to witness Ross become the highest beach volleyball stage. Ross suffered the loss of her mother to breast cancer in 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. But she still keeps her parents close to her his heart. And Margie is an ongoing source of encouragement for her on the beaches and throughout life.