April Ross

April Ross was one of only a few women beach volleyball stars who won medals during more than one Olympics. Alix-Klineman is set to compete alongside Ross at Tokyo for her third gold medal in the coming days. Ross is hoping to secure an Olympic first gold medal, but she is also aiming to win greater. At 39, this could be her last chance to achieve it. However, she is convinced of winning top awards. Ross stated to NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best or even a good game, she believes the team could win a gold medal. Additionally, I'm going to rely on a bit of luck. Ross was born on the 22nd of October, 1982. She was raised in Costa Mesa California where she resided with her parents and her sister. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of activities while at Newport Harbor High School. As a pre-schooler she played indoor volleyball along with basketball as well as running track. When she played in the final sport she was clearly the standout. As per her biography, during high school she played volleyball as an outside hitter (middle blocker) and setting (outside blocker). The award was presented to her as the Gatorade National Circle of Champions Player of the Year in 1999 for her achievements. Additionally, in 2000, she was awarded the Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Ross and Klineman have been performing their roles in 2017. However, Ross played a significant role in the world of beach volleyball prior to the pair. She's won big events twice, with various partners. A couple of those is an icon of the world of volleyball. Ross teamed up along with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and was also Klineman's coach. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the World Championships of 2009. They took home a Silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. The Misty Maytreanor legendary team and Kerri Jennings took home the gold. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor after she had retired. In 2016, the duo won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross played for the USC Trojans in the college years following her graduation from high school. It was a successful career for Ross in the college level. As a freshmen in 2000, her play earned her the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Young Player of the Year awards. The Trojans could also get to the Final Four with her help. During her sophomore year she was devastated by a personal loss but still managed to repeat as an All-American. During her final two seasons with the Trojans' program, she led them to victory by winning consecutive national championships. Her individual achievements have cemented her place as a legendary volleyball player. She was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the top female NCAA player. Ross studied the study of international relations in USC. Margie Ross did not get to watch her daughter's climb to the beach volleyball spotlight. Ross's mom died from cancer of the breast in 2001. Ross had just become an undergraduate student in the second year at USC. However, she continues to keep her mother's memory close and close. Also, Margie continues to be an motivation for her at the beach as well as in everyday life.