April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball players who have won medals during more than one Olympics. Alix Klineman, playing for the first time at Tokyo's Olympic Games, will try to earn her third medal. Ross's aim is to get her first Olympic Gold. There is a chance that it is her last chance at winning, as she's 39 old. But she's confident top awards are in reach. Ross was quoted on NBC Boston as saying that if you play your best, even if you do well, we'll get the gold. That's why I'm taking some luck too. Ross was born in 1982 and was raised in Costa Mesa California with her siblings and parents, started playing the sports of Newport Harbor High School. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. Her prep athletic career included indoor volleyball along with basketball as well as track and running. She was definitely superior to the rest in the latter sport. As per her biography, during high school she was a volleyball player as an outside hitter (middle blocker) as well as a setter (outside blocker). To honor her achievements, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. In 2000, she received the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in volleyball. Ross and Klineman might have started working together in the year 2017, however Ross had already been a seasoned athlete at the beach prior to when they joined forces. It's true that she's been a winner of numerous major tournaments and one partner was a renowned volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 until 2013. Alongside Kessy Ross was an ace on the international stage, claiming a world title in 2009. The pair eventually picked up a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor's legendary team along with Kerri Jennings won the gold. Ross Jennings was the replacement for May-Treanor as she retired. Both went on to win the bronze medal in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics 2016. They were joined by Walsh Jennings. Ross was a college player for USC Trojans before her pro career. She was a player in high school, as well as some years before she hit the beach professionally. Ross's playing time with the Trojans was amazing. When she was a freshman at the school in 2000 she earned Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman of the Year honors and was an All-American. She also helped the Trojans get to into the Final Four. During her sophomore year she experienced a devastating personal setback, but she was able to be a second All-American. In her two final years with the Trojans, she helped them to win two consecutive titles. Individually she had cemented herself as an all-time legend winning the 2003-2004 Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross studied the study of international relations in USC. Unfortunately, Ross mother Margie never got to see Ross's daughter reach the highest levels of beach volleyball stardom. In 2001 when Ross was a sophomore in USC her mother passed away from breast cancer. She still holds her mother close to her heart. Margie, on the beach as well as in everyday life, is still a source of inspiration for her.