April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball stars to win medals at multiple Olympics. She is set to compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal with Alix Klineman, who is a first time Olympian. Ross is also hoping to win her first Olympic medal. As she turns 39, it could be her final chance to take home an Olympic gold. However, she's convinced that top prizes are in reach. Ross told NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or play a great game her team can win a gold medal. "I'm also going to try to have 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. She was able to participate in a myriad of activities during her time at Newport Harbor High School. Being a pre-athlete, she also played indoor track and volleyball. When she played in the final sport she stood out. The college bio says that she played outside of the hitter, middle blocker, as well as a setter during her volleyball career at high school. The results of her efforts were acknowledged in 1999 when she was named Gatorade's Circle Of Champions National Players of the Year. Her volleyball skills also won her an Orange County Athlete of the Years trophy in the year 2000. Ross is working with Klineman from 2017, but Ross's beach game was well-established long before that. In reality, she's won multiple big tournaments and one of them was a renowned volleyball player. In the period 2007 until 2013, she was a team alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently was Klineman's coach. Along together with Kessy, Ross won an Olympic Title in 2009 when she competed in the international circuit. They went on to win a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty Maytreanor's legendary team and Kerri Jennings were the winners of gold. Ross Jennings was Walsh Jennings partner in fate as Maytreanor resigned. The pair were awarded bronze medals at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC during her college days, the years prior to her professional career. Ross's time in the Trojans was amazing. Her freshman year in 2000 saw her earn the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman's of the award and become an All-American. In 2000, her Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four. She endured a great personal loss in her sophomore, yet was able to achieve the All-American distinction. The two years following her, she took the Trojans up the mountain and took home consecutive national championships. As an individual Ross established her status in the history books by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. The award is given to the most outstanding female volleyball players at colleges across the United States. Ross who was a USC international relations student, was a star in volleyball. Margie Ross was not able to witness Ross reach beach volleyball's highest level. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001. Ross was still a USC sophomore. The cancer was diagnosed as breast. She is devoted to her late parent. Margie has inspired her throughout her life, as well as on the beach.