April Ross

April Ross is one of just a handful of female beach volleyball athletes to win medals at more than one Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal with Alix Klineman, who is a first time Olympian. But more than that, Ross will be aiming for her first Olympic gold. And at the age of 39, this could be her last chance to accomplish this. Still confident but she is not sure. Ross was mentioned on NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very highest, and even play well we will get the gold. "I'm planning to test a little luck." Ross born the 22nd, 1982 located in Costa Mesa California. She resided there together with her parents. Ross's athletic endeavors began at Newport Harbor High School where she participated in several different sports. She competed in basketball and track in addition to her volleyball skills in the indoors in her time as a college athlete. She clearly was the top player in indoor volleyball. The college bio says that she was an outside hitter, middle blocker and setter during her volleyball career in high school. Gatorade Circle Of Champions named her as the National Player in 1999. Also, in 2000 she was awarded the Orange County Athlete of the year for volleyball. Ross has been playing alongside Klineman since the year 2017. However, Ross's beach game was well-established long before that. As a matter of fact Ross has been a winner of several significant tournaments during her time with two partners. One is a volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy was her partner for six years, from 2007 until 2013. She also worked with Klineman and herself. Kessy and Ross were a formidable force in the international arena, taking home the world championship in 2009 together. This duo went through to take home a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the team to beat for the gold. As fate would have it Ross turned out to be Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. The duo went on to earn the beach volleyball bronze during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross was a college athlete at USC Trojans prior to beginning starting her professional career. She played during high school, as well as before hitting the beaches as a professional. Ross's time in the Trojans was amazing. In 2000, as a freshman she played her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman of the Year honors and earned an All-American. Additionally, she assisted her Trojans get to the Final Four. After her sophomore year she suffered a devastating personal loss, yet earned the distinction of being an All-American. Through her last two years within the team, she guided the Trojans to the summit netting successive national titles. For her part, she cemented her place in the history books by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. The award is given to the best female college volleyball players in the United States. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mother Margie was not able to witness Ross rise to the top levels of beach volleyball stardom. Ross's mother died of cancer of the breast in the year 2001. Ross had just become an undergraduate student in the second year at USC. In the aftermath, Ross is still close to her deceased parent. Margie, on the beach and in daily life, continues to inspire her.