April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball players who have won medals at several Olympics. Alix klineman, who is playing for the first time at the Tokyo Olympics, will try to earn her third medal. But more than that, Ross is aiming to capture her first Olympic gold. And at the age of 39 this may be her last opportunity to accomplish this. Her optimism is that she will be able to win top awards. Ross declared on NBC Boston: "If we try our best, and even if we just play well I believe we can win the gold medal." So I'm going to take the chance also. Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa in 1982. Her family lived in the area along with her parents and sibling. Ross went on to play in numerous activities at Newport Harbor High School. In her time as a college athlete, she also played indoor volleyball and track. When she played in the final sport, she clearly stood out. Based on her biography, she was an outside blocker as well as a middle volleyball player during her senior year at high school. The results of her efforts were acknowledged by her being named 1999 Gatorade's National Circle of Champions Player of the Year. Additionally, in 2000, she was awarded the Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Ross is currently working with Klineman from 2017. However, Ross's beach game had been established long before the year. She has won numerous events, and one was won by a legendary volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 through 2013. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be a formidable force in the international arena, taking home the world championship in 2009 together. In the 2012 Olympic Games, they received a gold medal. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the team to beat out for gold. As fate would have it Ross became Walsh Jennings' new partner as May-Treanor stepped down. They both won beach volleyball bronze for the Rio Olympics of 2016. Ross played for the USC Trojans in college years after she graduated the high school she attended. Ross's time in the Trojans was impressive. She was a All-American and Pac-10 Freshman of Year when she was a teen freshman. The Trojans had the chance to reach the Final Four with her help. In her sophomore season she was devastated by a personal loss and still managed to earn the honor of being named an All-American. In her last two years, she took the Trojans up to the summit and took home consecutive national championships. She had established herself as an all-time legend having won the 2003-2004 Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mom Margie was not able to witness Ross rise to the top levels of beach volleyball superstardom. Ross lost the breast cancer that she battled in the year 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. She continues to cherish her mother who died. Margie is a source of inspiration in her life and on the beaches.