April Ross

April Ross is only one of the few beach volleyball athletes to win medals more than once at an Olympics. Alix-Klineman will compete with April Ross Tokyo for her third gold in the next few days. Ross also hopes to get her first Olympic gold. It may well be that it is her last chance at winning, as she's 39 old. Nevertheless she is confident that winning the gold medal is within reach. If we play our highest or perform well, I think we'll be able to win that gold medal Ross stated on NBC Boston. Also, it's a matter of chance. Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. She lived here along with her parents and sister. Apart from playing in numerous sports, Ross also attended Newport Harbor High School. When she was a student in the prep school she was a participant in basketball, indoor volleyball as well as running track. But she stood out at this level. In her own biography in high school, she played volleyball as an outside setter (middle blocker) and the setter (outside blocker). In recognition of her work, she was honored as the 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. Her volleyball skills also earned her the Orange County Athlete of the Awards in the year 2000. Ross has been playing alongside Klineman since the year 2017. However, Ross's beach game was well-established long before the year. She has won major competitions with different players. A couple of those is an icon in the volleyball world. She teamed up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and was also Klineman's coach. Ross, the teammate of Kessy's, who won the world title together with Kessy in 2009, was also significant on the world stage. The duo were awarded silver medals at the London Olympic Games. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor won gold, beating them to it. Ross was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's resignation. They won the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016. Ross began her college professional career playing for the Trojans of USC after graduation from high school. This was years before Ross went to the sand and turned professional. Her career was a success in the NCAA tournament. As a freshmen in 2000, her play earned her the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Young Player of the Year awards. In 2000, her Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four. Her personal tragedy was a crushing loss during her sophomore year however she was able to return in the ranks of an All-American. The two years following her she led the Trojans up the mountain and took home consecutive national championships. As an individual she established herself as a legend by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This award was given to the best female college volleyball players across the nation. Ross studied the study of international relations in USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, never had the chance to watch Ross' daughter blossom into the beach volleyball's biggest star. Ross lost the breast cancer that she battled in the year 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. However, she continues to keep her mother's memory close and close. Margie remains a constant source of inspiration for her both at and off the beaches.