April Ross

April Ross has won more than one Olympic gold medal. Ross is among the few female beach volleyball players that be able to do so. She will be competing in Tokyo for her third Olympic gold medal along with Alix Klineman, who is a first-time Olympian. Ross hopes to win more than her initial Olympic medal. As she turns 39, it could be her last chance to win an Olympic gold. Her confidence is high, however. Ross was quoted in NBC Boston as saying that if you play your highest, and even do well, we'll get the gold. Also, it's an issue of luck. Ross was born in the city of Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents and sister were residents in the area. Ross was a competitive athlete in a variety of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. As a pre-schooler she was a participant in indoor volleyball along with basketball and track. Though she excelled in indoor volleyball however, it was evident that her skills were above average. Based on her bio, she was a middle blocker and outside hitter on the volleyball court throughout her time in high school. She was awarded one of the Gatorade National Circle of Champions Player of the Year in 1999, for her performance. Also, in 2000 she was named Orange County Athlete of the Yr for volleyball. Ross and Klineman started the partnership in 2017, However, Ross had been a beach-scene player for years prior to. She actually won multiple major tournaments in the past with two different partners. one of whom is a volleyball icon. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years between 2007 and the year 2013. She also worked with Klineman as well as herself. Along together with Kessy Ross was awarded the World Championship in 2009, while racing internationally. They were awarded a silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team along with Kerri Jennings were the winners of gold. Ross Jennings was May-Treanor's replacement as she left the team. The pair won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. After high school and many years before hitting the sand as a pro Ross played with the Trojans of USC as an NCAA. Her time at USC was quite impressive. The year 2000 was her freshman year. saw her earn the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of the Year awards and be an All-American. In 2000, her Trojans made it to the Final Four. She was devastated by a tragic incident in her second year, but she was able to make it an All-American once more. Over her final 2 years of participation in the Trojans program, she guided the team to win a national championship every time. She was a great volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female college volleyball player. Ross studied at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross wasn't able to watch her daughter's rise to the beach volleyball spotlight. In 2001 when Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother passed away from breast cancer. She is devoted to her mother who died. Margie remains a constant source of inspiration to her, both on and off the beach.