April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic medal. She is one of a few women beach volleyball athletes that be able to do so. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her third Olympic gold medal along with Alix Klineman, who is a first time Olympian. Ross wants to achieve more than her initial Olympic medal. Since she's 39 years old, it may be her last chance. She's certain that the top prizes can be achieved. Ross said on NBC Boston that if they play their best, and even play well and they are able to play well, the team could win a gold medal. This is also an issue of luck. Ross, who was born 1982, and grew up in Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began participating in athletics at the Newport Harbor High School. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. Being a pre-athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. However she was clearly a cut above the rest in this latter game. Based on her biography, she was a middle blocker and an outside hitting volleyball player during her senior year at high school. Thanks to her hard work she was named an 1999 Gatorade Champion of Champions Circle of Champions Player of the Year. Her skills in volleyball brought her an Orange County Athlete of the Years trophy in the year 2000. Ross and Klineman are continuing to play since 2017. The reality is that Ross was a major player on the beach volleyball circuit before the pairing. The American has been a major winner in events twice, with various partners. The other has become an iconic player in the world of volleyball. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years between 2007 and 2013. She also coached Klineman and herself. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the 2009 World Championships. This duo went into winning a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team along with Kerri Jennings took home the gold. As fate would have it Ross became Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. The pair won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross started her college career with the USC Trojans in high school. It was a long time before Ross went to the beach and became a pro. The time she spent at the school was one to remember. The year 2000 was her freshman year. saw her earn the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of Year awards and be an All-American. The Trojans also reached the Final Four. After her sophomore year she suffered a devastating personal loss, yet was able to be named an All-American. During her final two seasons with the Trojans team they won victories by winning consecutive national championships. The individual accomplishments of her have established her status as a legend in volleyball. Ross was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the top female NCAA player. Ross had been an international studies major at USC. Unfortunately Ross mother Margie never got to see Ross's daughter reach the very top of beach volleyball fame. Ross suffered the loss of her mother to breast cancer in 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. She is devoted to her mother who died. In addition, Margie is an ongoing source of motivation for her at the beach and in life.