April Ross

April Ross is only one of the few beach volleyball athletes to win medals at least twice in an Olympics. Alix klineman, who is competing for the first time in Tokyo's Olympics and will attempt to win her third gold medal. Ross is also hoping to win her very first Olympic medal. At 39 this may be her final chance to achieve it. But she's convinced that top honors are firmly within reach. Ross stated via NBC Boston: "If we do our best and even if we just play well I'm sure we'll win the gold medal." That's why I'm taking the chance as well. Ross was born in 1982, and grew up in Costa Mesa California with her sister and parents, began playing sports at Newport Harbor High school. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of activities while at Newport Harbor High School. The prep sports she played included indoor volleyball along with basketball, track and running. Though she excelled when playing indoors however, it was evident that her performance was above average. As per her biography in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside setter (middle blocker) as well as a setter (outside blocker). Her efforts were recognized when she was named 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. Her skills in volleyball brought her an Orange County Athlete of the Awards in 2000. Although Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight since the year 2017, Klineman had already been a major athlete on the beach even before the pair formed. In fact, she's had the chance to win numerous events, and one was won by an iconic volleyball player. From 2007 to 2013 she played with Jennifer Kessy, who is the coach she is currently. Alongside Kessy Ross, she was a major force in the world circuit, winning the world championship in 2009. They were awarded a silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings the legendary team which took home the Olympic gold medal in 2012 in London, took each other to take home the gold. The fate of the matter was that Ross turned out to be Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. The pair went on to earn the bronze medal in beach volleyball in the Rio Olympics in 2016. After high school and several years prior to hitting the beach as a professional Ross was a ball to the Trojans at USC while an collegiate. And her run in the Trojans' ranks was an impressive one. When she was a freshman at the school in 2000 she fought her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA All-American Freshman of Year awards and was an All-American. The Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four with her help. The Trojans suffered a heartbreaking personal loss in her sophomore year however she was able to return as an All-American. Through her two final years in the Trojans program, she coached the Trojans to winning a national title every time. As an individual Ross established her status as a legend when she won the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This award was given to the most outstanding female volleyball players at colleges across the nation. Ross was who was a USC international relations student was a star in volleyball. Margie Ross didn't get to witness Ross become the highest beach volleyball levels. Ross's mother Margie died in 2001 when Ross was in the midst of being a USC sophomore. She had breast cancer. Ross holds her mother close to her heart. Also, Margie is an ongoing source of inspiration to her on the beaches and throughout life.