April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball players to capture medals at multiple Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days she'll be aiming to net her third medal together with fellow first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. However, more importantly Ross will be aiming for her first Olympic gold. As she turns 39, it could be her last chance to take home an Olympic gold medal. She remains confident though that winning the gold medal is just a few steps away. Ross stated to NBC Boston that he believes If they can play at their absolute best, or even a good game, then we'll be in the running for gold. In addition, I'm hoping to have some luck. Ross is born in the year 1982. Costa Mesa California where she resided with her parents and sister. While at Newport Harbor High School, she competed in numerous activities. She competed in basketball and track in addition to her indoor volleyball exploits as a pre-collegiate athlete. In the last sport she clearly stood out. Through her high school years, she played middle blocker outside hitter and setter on the volleyball court according to her university bio. Her achievements were acknowledged with her selection as the 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions' National Players of the Year. Her volleyball skills also earned her an Orange County Athlete of the Year award in 2000. While Ross and Klineman are a couple since the year 2017, Klineman was already a big-time participant on the beaches way before they teamed up. In fact, she won many major events playing two different partners, one of whom is the volleyball legend. From 2007-2013 she played alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Along with Kessy Ross was awarded the World Championship in 2009, while racing in the international circuit. The two eventually clinched a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They were defeated for the gold medal by the storied team comprised of Misty May-Treanor as well as Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross is Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's departure. The duo went on to earn the beach volleyball bronze during the Rio Olympics in the year 2016. Ross was a college athlete for USC Trojans before making the jump to professional. She played at high school and in some years prior to getting on the beach to become a professional. And her run in the Trojans' ranks was an impressive one. It was her time to be an All-American and Pac-10 freshman of the year in 2000. Furthermore, she assisted her Trojans get to the Final Four. She suffered a devastating personal loss during her sophomore year, but she still repeated her place as an All-American. The two seasons she spent playing for the Trojans they helped achieve consecutive championships. Individually she had cemented herself as an all-time legend winning in 2003 and 2004 the Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross majored in International Relations at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mother Margie didn't get to watch Ross rise to the most elite levels of beach volleyball stardom. As of 2001, when Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother passed away due to breast cancer. She holds her mom close to her heart. and Margie is an ongoing source of motivation for her at the beach and in her everyday life.