April Ross

April Ross was one of only a few women beach volleyball players who have won medals in multiple Olympics. Alix Klineman, taking part for the very first time at Tokyo's Olympic Games, will try to earn her third gold medal. Ross aims to earn her Olympic first gold medal, however, she also hopes for greater. At 39 and has a long way to go, this could be her last shot. Still confident nevertheless. Ross stated to NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best or even a good game her team can win a gold medal. Therefore, I'm hoping to have a little bit of luck as well. Ross born in 1982, and grew up within Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began competing in sports at the Newport Harbor High School. In Newport Harbor High School, she was a participant in many different sports. When she was a student in the prep school, she competed in indoor volleyball along with basketball and track. She clearly was the top at the sport of indoor volleyball. According to her bio, she was a middle blocker and an outside hitting volleyball player during her high-school career. To honor her achievements, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her for volleyball. Ross and Klineman began their partnership in 2017, but Ross had been a beach-scene player for years prior to. Actually Ross has won a number of significant tournaments during her time together with two other partners. One is a volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy was her partner for six years, from 2007 to the year 2013. She also worked with Klineman and herself. Ross, Kessy's fellow teammate who was the winner of the world championship alongside Kessy in 2009, was also a major force on an international level. The 2012 Olympic Games, they were awarded the gold medal. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the group to beat for the gold. As fate would have it Ross turned out to be Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They took home the bronze medal in beach volleyball during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross was a Trojans player for the USC throughout her college the years prior to her professional career. This was an impressive run for Ross at the university. When she was a freshman in 2000 the Trojans' performance earned her the Pac-10 and NCAA Young Player of the Year awards. She was also a key player to help the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. The second season of her career, she experienced a terrible personal tragedy, but earned the distinction of being an All-American. In her last two seasons in the Trojans team the team was led to victories by winning consecutive national championships. For her part Ross established her status as a legend by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This prize was awarded to the most outstanding female volleyball players at colleges across the United States. Ross studied at USC in International Relations. Unfortunately, Ross mom Margie did not get to see Ross rise to the highest levels of beach volleyball stardom. Ross's mother died of cancer of the breast in 2001. Ross had just become sophomore at USC. She continues to cherish her mother who died. Margie, on the beach and in daily life, inspires her.