April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball players who have won medals in more than one Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days, she'll be aiming to win her third gold medal with fellow first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross hopes to win more than her initial Olympic medal. It could be the last chance she'll ever have at age 39. Her optimism is that she can achieve top honors. Ross told NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best or even a good game and they are able to play well, the team will be able to win the gold medal. "I'm planning to test to have a bit of luck." Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. Her parents as well as her sister resided there. Ross played in numerous sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. As a prep-athlete she played indoor track and volleyball. Although she was a pro in indoor volleyball, it was clear that her performance was above average. As per her biography in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside setter (middle blocker) as well as a the setter (outside blocker). Gatorade Circle of Champions named her the national Player in 1999. Her skills in volleyball earned her the Orange County Athlete of the Awards in 2000. Ross and Klineman might have started working together in the year 2017, however Ross was already an established athlete at the beach prior to when they teamed up. It's true that she has been able to win multiple tournaments, including one with the legendary player of volleyball. She teamed up together with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's coach. Together, Kessy Ross was a force on the international circuit winning the world championship in 2009. In 2012, the pair were awarded silver medals at the London Olympic Games. The Misty Maytreanor legendary team as well as Kerri Jennings took home the gold. Ross Jennings took over for May-Treanor after she retired. Together, they won bronze medals in beach volleyball for the Rio Olympics of 2016. Ross started her college time with the Trojans at USC in graduation from high school. This was years before Ross made her debut on the beach, and then became a professional. The time she spent at the school was an impressive one. The year 2000 was her freshman year. was when she won the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of Year awards and be an All-American. Additionally, she was an integral player in helping the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. After her sophomore year she was devastated by a personal loss and still earned the distinction of being an All-American. Over the course of the two years she played for the Trojans she was instrumental in helping them win consecutive championships. In 2003-2004, Ross was named the best female volleyball player on the collegiate scene in the US through The Honda Sports Award. Ross who was a USC international relations student, was a volleyball star. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, was never given the privilege of watching Ross' daughter blossom into the beach volleyball's biggest star. When Ross was in her sophomore year studying at USC her mother died of breast cancer. She still holds her mother very dearly. Margie is a source of inspiration both in her personal life and at the beaches.