April Ross

April Ross is one of only a few female beach volleyball players to capture medals at more than one Olympics. Alix Klineman is the newest Olympian who will be joining her in Tokyo. Ross wants to achieve more than her first Olympic medal. At 39 and has a long way to go, this could be her last shot. She is still confident but she is not sure. Ross told NBC Boston that if they perform at their very best, or even a good game and they are able to play well, the team can win a gold medal. "I'm trying to also try a little luck." Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents as well as her sister were residents there. In addition to playing in numerous sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. Her pre-athletic career comprised indoor volleyball as well as basketball, running and track. She clearly was the top player in indoor volleyball. As per her biography in high school, she played volleyball as an outside setter (middle blocker) and the setter (outside blocker). Thanks to her hard work she was named an 1999 Gatorade International Player of the year in Circle of Champions. The skills she showed in volleyball also earned her the Orange County Athlete of the Years trophy in 2000. Ross and Klineman might have started working together at the beginning of 2017, but Ross had already been a seasoned athlete at the beach prior to when they teamed up. She has won major competitions with different players. The other is an icon of the volleyball world. The pair teamed with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's trainer. Kessy's teammate Ross, who was the winner of the world championship with Kessy in 2009, was also a major force on world stage. In the 2012 Olympic Games, they won the gold medal. They were beaten out for the gold by the legendary duo comprised of Misty May-Treanor as well as Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate when Maytreanor retired. The team won bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016. Ross was a college player with the Trojans of USC prior to starting her professional career. She played during high school, and even before hitting the beach professionally. It was a successful run for Ross at the school. In her first year at the school, 2000 earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman's of the Year awards and be an All-American. She was also a key player for helping the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. The Trojans were devastated by a tragic incident in her sophomore years, yet she was able to make it an All-American once more. Over her final 2 seasons with the Trojans program, she guided the team to win a national championship every time. As an individual, she established herself as an all-time legend winning the 2003-2004 Honda Sports Award as the highest ranked female volleyball player. Ross was a student at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross did not get to witness Ross reach beach volleyball's highest levels. Ross's mother Margie died in 2001, when Ross was an USC sophomore. She had breast cancer. However, she continues to remember her deceased parent close and dear. In addition, Margie is an ongoing source of encouragement for her on the beaches and throughout her daily life.