April Ross

April Ross has won more than one medal at the Olympics. Ross is among only a handful of female players of beach volleyball to have done so. She is set to compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal with Alix Klineman, a first-time Olympian. Ross is also hoping to win her first Olympic gold. It could be the last opportunity she gets at age 39. But she's confident top awards are in reach. Ross through NBC Boston, said that if the team plays well or at all they could win a gold. So I'm going to take some luck too. Ross was born on August 22, 1982, in Costa Mesa California. She lived there along with her entire family. Ross competed in many activities while at Newport Harbor High School. Apart from the indoor game, she also ran track and basketball in her pre-college days. Although she was a pro when playing indoors but it was apparent that her skills were above the average. Through her high school years, she played middle blocker, outside hitter and setter at the tennis court per her bio at the college. As a tribute to her efforts, she received the Gatorade Award for the National Player of 1999. She also won the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in volleyball. Although Ross and Klineman are a couple since 2017, the former was already an established participant on the beaches long before their pairing. It's true that she's won multiple big tournaments and one partner was a volleyball superstar. From 2007 to 2013 she teamed together with Jennifer Kessy who more recently served as her and Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy Ross was awarded the World Championship in 2009, while racing internationally. In the 2012 Olympic Games, they were awarded the gold medal. They were knocked out of the gold medal by the legendary team comprised of Misty May-Treanor as well as Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings took over for May-Treanor after she announced her retirement. In 2016, the duo won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Following high school, and for a few years before she hit the sand professionally, Ross balled out with the Trojans of USC as a collegiate. This was an impressive career for Ross in the college level. The year 2000 was her freshman year. was when she won the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman's of award and become an All-American. Additionally, she was one of the key players for helping the Trojans reach their way to the Final Four. After her sophomore year she was devastated by a personal tragedy, but was able to be named an All-American. Through her last two years within the team, she guided the Trojans towards the top of the mountain by winning two successive national titles. In 2003-2004, Ross was named the top collegiate female volleyball player in America through the Honda Sports Award. Ross majored in International Relations at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the privilege of watching Ross' daughter blossom into a beach volleyball superstar. Ross's mother died of breast carcinoma in 2001. Ross had just become sophomore at USC. Her mother is still close to her heart. Margie has inspired her in her life and on the beaches.