April Ross

April Ross is only one of only a handful of beach volleyball players who have earned medals multiple times at an Olympics. Alix klineman, who is playing for the first time at Tokyo's Olympic Games and will attempt to win her third medal. Ross's goal is to win her first Olympic Gold. And at the age of 39 this may be her final chance to do so. She remains optimistic that she will be able to win top awards. Ross said on NBC Boston that if they play their best, and even play well, she believes the team will be able to win the gold medal. Also, I'll take the opportunity to try my chance. Ross was born in California, Costa Mesa in the year 1982. Her parents as well as her sister were residents there. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. She competed in basketball and track in addition to her indoor volleyball achievements in her time as a college athlete. While she did well at indoor volleyball however, it was evident that her skills were above the average. Based on her bio, she played an outside blocker as well as a middle hitter on the volleyball court during her senior year at high school. Her achievements were rewarded by her being named 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. She also captured the 1999 Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross is currently playing with Klineman since 2017 but her beach game was well-established long before that. As a matter of fact Ross has won a number of major tournaments in her career with two partners. One of them is a legend. In the period 2007-2013 she played with Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Kessy and Ross were an impressive force on the world circuit, winning a 2009 world title with each other. They took home a Silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the trio that could take home the gold. Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate as Maytreanor resigned. The duo were able to win the beach volleyball bronze during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross started her college time with the Trojans at USC following her high school days. The Trojans were a few years away from when Ross hit the beach, and then became a professional. The time she spent at USC was impressive. In 2000, as a freshman the Trojans' performance earned her the Pac-10 as well as NCAA the Freshman of the Year award. The Trojans made 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 in the program the team was led to success by winning two consecutive national championships. The achievements of each individual have established her status as a legend in volleyball. She was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the nation's best female collegiate player. Ross, who was a USC international relations student was a star in volleyball. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, never had the chance to watch her daughter become a beach volleyball superstar. Ross's mother passed away from breast carcinoma in 2001. Ross had just become a second-year student at USC. But she still keeps her parent close to heart. Margie at the beach and in daily life, continues to inspire her.