April Ross

April Ross, a beach volleyball player American is part of a select category of females who have been awarded medals at multiple Olympics. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian who will be joining her in Tokyo. Ross is hoping to secure her Olympic debut gold however, she also hopes for even more. At 39, this could be her final chance to win an Olympic gold. But she's convinced that winning the gold medal is within reach. If we perform at our very highest or play well I feel like we'll be able to win that gold medal Ross declared on NBC Boston. So I'm going to take a little bit of luck too. Ross was born in California, Costa Mesa in 1982. Her parents as well as her sister were residents there. Ross played in numerous sports while attending Newport Harbor High School. Her pre-athletic career comprised indoor volleyball along with basketball as well as track and running. But she clearly was an edge over the other players in the latter sport. In her college profile, she played outside of the hitter middle blocker, and setter during her volleyball career in high school. In recognition of her accomplishments she was awarded the Gatorade Award for the National Player of 1999. Additionally, in 2000, she was named Orange County Athlete of the Yr for volleyball. Even though Ross and Klineman have been doing their thing since 2017, the former was already a big-time participant on the beaches even before the pair formed. The fact is, she's had numerous big wins and one partner was a renowned volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years between 2007 and 2013. She also worked with Klineman as well as herself. Kessy and Ross were an impressive force on the international arena, taking home the 2009 World Championship with each other. The pair eventually picked up an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the group to beat for the gold. Ross Jennings took over for May-Treanor when she retired. The duo won the beach volleyball bronze at the Rio Olympics in the year 2016. After high school and years before she hit the sand professionally, Ross was a ball with the Trojans of USC as an collegiate. She had a great run during her time in the NCAA tournament. She was a All-American and Pac-10 freshman of the year when she was a teen freshman. She also helped her Trojans get to the Final Four. After her sophomore year she suffered a devastating personal loss and still managed to earn the honor of being named an All-American. In her final two seasons with the Trojans she was instrumental in helping them win consecutive championships. In her own way, she cemented her place as a legend when she won the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. The award is given to the best female college volleyball players in the country. Ross was a student at USC in International Relations. Sadly, Ross mom Margie did not get to see Ross rise to the highest levels of beach volleyball superstardom. Ross's mother passed away from cancer of the breast when she was a sophomore in USC. Ross holds her mother close to her heart. Margie, on the beach and in daily life, is still a source of inspiration for her.