April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic medal. She is among only a handful of female players of beach volleyball who be able to do so. Alix-Klineman will be competing with April Ross in Tokyo in order to claim her third gold in the next couple of days. But more than that, Ross will be aiming for her very first Olympic gold. There is a chance that it is her last chance, at 39 years old. Still confident, however. Ross was reported on NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very best, even if you do well, we'll get the gold. "I'm trying to also try to have a bit of luck." Ross was born in 1982 in Costa Mesa California where she resided with her parents and sister. The athletic pursuits she pursued continued at Newport Harbor High School where she played in a variety of different sports. As a prep-athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. But she stood out in this sport. Her college biography states that she was an outside hitter, middle blocker, and setter throughout her volleyball time during high school. To honor her achievements, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. Also, she won the 1999 Orange County Athlete of the Award for volleyball. Ross and Klineman started their partnership in 2017, however, Ross was a beach scene celebrity for a long time prior to. The American has been a major winner in events twice, with various partners. One of them has become an icon in the volleyball world. From 2007 to 2013 she teamed with Jennifer Kessy who more recently served as her and Klineman's coach. Ross, Kessy's fellow teammate who won the world title with Kessy in 2009, also was significant on the international stage. The duo eventually captured a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They were beaten out for the gold medal by the legendary duo comprising Misty and Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. Both went on to win the bronze medal in beach volleyball in the Rio Olympics in 2016 along with Walsh Jennings. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC in her college the years prior to her professional career. The time she spent at USC was quite impressive. As a freshmen in 2000 the Trojans' performance earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA the Freshman of the Year award. She was also a key player to help the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. The Trojans suffered a heartbreaking personal loss in her sophomore year however she was able to return her place as an All-American. Through her two final years in the Trojans program, she coached the team to win a national championship every year. She was a fantastic volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female volleyball player in the NCAA. Ross played international relations as a major at USC. Margie Ross did not get to watch her daughter's climb to the beach volleyball spotlight. Ross's mom passed away due to breast cancer when she was a sophomore in USC. This meant that Ross remains near to her mother who passed away. Margie is a source of inspiration throughout her life, as well as on the beach.