April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic medal. She is one of only a handful of female beach volleyball players who be able to do so. Ross will 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 gold. It may well be that this is her only opportunity, given that she is 39 years old. The athlete is optimistic she will be able to win top awards. Ross said on NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or even a good game, she believes the team will be able to win the gold medal. Therefore, I'm hoping to have the chance too. Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa in 1982. She lived here along with her parents and younger sister. Along with competing in various sports, Ross was also a student at Newport Harbor High School. When she was a student in the prep school she played basketball, indoor volleyball and track. However she was clearly a cut above the rest in this latter game. When she played in her high school volleyball career in her university biography she played as an outside-hitter, middle blocker and setter. As a tribute to her efforts she was awarded the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. She also was awarded her the Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross and Klineman have been continuing to play from 2017. However, Ross was an important player in the world of beach volleyball prior to the pair. The fact is, she's had numerous big wins and one partner was a volleyball superstar. For six years from 2007-2013 she played together with Jennifer Kessy who more recently was Klineman's coach. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be a formidable force in the world circuit, winning a 2009 world title as a team. In 2012, the duo won silver at London's Olympic Games. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the group to beat for the gold. Ross became Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. The pair won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross competed for USC Trojans in her college prior to becoming a professional. Ross's time in the Trojans was impressive. As a freshmen in 2000 the Trojans' performance earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA the Freshman of the Year award. She also helped the Trojans reach the Final Four. She suffered a devastating personal loss in her sophomore season however she was able to return in the ranks of an All-American. The two years following her she led the Trojans up to the summit and clinched consecutive national championships. As an individual, she established herself as an all-time legend winning the 2003-2004 Honda Sports Award as the most outstanding female college volleyball player. Ross was an international relations student at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the opportunity to see her daughter become an international beach volleyball star. Ross's mom Margie passed away in 2001. Ross was in the midst of being a USC sophomore. She had breast cancer. She continues to cherish her late parent. Margie has always been a source of inspiration to her on and off the beach.