April Ross

April Ross is one of just a handful of female beach volleyball stars to capture medals at many Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal alongside Alix Klineman, a first time Olympian. Ross hopes to win more than her initial Olympic medal. Since she's 39 years old she could have her last chance. But she's still confident of achieving top honours. Ross was quoted in NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very best, even if you do well, we'll get the gold. "I'm trying to also try a little luck." Ross was a Californian born in the city of Costa Mesa in 1982. Her family lived in the area along with her parents and younger sister. Ross went on to play in many sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. Her pre-athletic career comprised indoor volleyball, as well as basketball as well as running and track. She clearly was the top at the sport of indoor volleyball. Based on her bio, she played an outside blocker as well as a middle hitting volleyball player throughout her time in high school. She was awarded the Gatorade National Circle of Champions player of the year in 1999 for her achievements. Additionally, in 2000, she was recognized as the Orange County Athlete of the year for volleyball. Ross is currently playing alongside Klineman since the year 2017. However, Ross's beach game had been established long before this. In reality, she's had numerous big wins and one of them was an all-star volleyball player. For six years from 2007 to 2013 she teamed alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy Ross was a force in the world circuit, winning a world title in 2009. They won a Silver Medal in the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings, the team of legends which won the 2012 Olympic Games in London, beat them out to win the gold. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor when she retired. In 2016, the pair won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross competed for USC Trojans throughout her college the years prior to her professional career. This was an impressive performance for Ross during her time at the university. In 2000, as a freshman, her play earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA Young Player of the Year awards. The Trojans had the chance to get to the Final Four with her help. She endured a great personal loss in her sophomore, but was still able to achieve the All-American distinction. In her last two seasons with the Trojans program, she coached the team to win a national championship every time. The achievements of each individual have established her place as a legendary volleyball player. She was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the best female college player. Ross was a major in international relations at USC. Margie Ross did not see her daughter make it to the top of beach volleyball. Ross's mom Margie passed away in 2001 when Ross was still in the midst of being a USC sophomore. Her breast cancer had been diagnosed. She has kept her mother in her the heart. Margie has always been a source of inspiration to her, both at and off the beaches.