April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball athletes who earned medals in more than one Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal alongside Alix Klineman, who is a first time Olympian. Ross is determined to earn more than just her first Olympic medal. With her age of 39, this may be her final chance to take home the gold medal at an Olympics. She's certain that the top prizes are in reach. Ross was reported in NBC Boston as saying that if you play your best, even if you perform well, you will win the gold. "I'm trying to also try a little luck." Ross born in 1982, and grew up within Costa Mesa California with her siblings and parents, started playing the sports of the Newport Harbor High School. Her athletic career continued at Newport Harbor High School where she participated in several activities. As a pre-schooler she played the indoor game of volleyball, as well as basketball and running track. When she played in the final sport, she clearly stood out. In her high school volleyball career in her university bio, she was a middle-blocker, outside-hitter and setter. Thanks to her hard work, she was honored as an 1999 Gatorade Champion of Champions Circle of Champions Player of the Year. The 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her due to her volleyball skills. Ross is playing with Klineman since 2017 but her beach game had been established long before the year. Actually, Ross has won several major tournaments in her career with two partners. One is a volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years from 2007 to 2013. She also worked with Klineman and herself. Along together with Kessy Ross was awarded an Olympic Title in 2009 when she competed in the international circuit. In 2012, the duo took silver in London's Olympics. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor took home gold overtaking them. Ross was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's resignation. Together, they took home bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in the year 2016. Ross competed for USC Trojans during her college days, prior to becoming a professional. This was an impressive run for Ross at the university. In 2000 she was named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and NCAA Freshman Of The Year, and was also an All-American. She also helped her Trojans to reach the Final Four. She endured a great personal defeat in her sophomore year but was still able to achieve the All-American distinction. In her last two years, she took the Trojans up the mountain and clinched consecutive national championships. She was a fantastic volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female college volleyball player. Ross, an USC international relations major, was a renowned volleyball player. Margie Ross wasn't able to watch her daughter's rise to beach volleyball fame. Ross's mother passed away from breast cancer while she was a sophomore in USC. She still holds her mother dear. Also, Margie continues to be an motivation for her at the beaches and throughout life.