April Ross

April Ross is only one of only a handful of beach volleyball players to have won medals at least twice in an Olympics. Ross will compete in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal alongside Alix Klineman, a first-time Olympian. But more than that, Ross is aiming to capture the first Olympic gold. In fact, at 39, this could be her last opportunity to do so. But she's confident top awards are in reach. Ross was mentioned by NBC Boston as saying that If you put in your highest, and even play well we will get the gold. Also, I'll take some chance. Ross was born in 1982 in Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents as well as a sister. Ross played in numerous sports while attending Newport Harbor High School. As a pre-schooler, she competed in indoor volleyball along with basketball as well as running track. She was definitely an edge over the other players in this latter game. Through her high school years, she was a middle blocker outside setter and hitter in the court for volleyball per her college bio. In recognition of her accomplishments, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. Her volleyball skills also earned her the Orange County Athlete of the Years trophy in 2000. Ross and Klineman are doing what they do from 2017. However, Ross played a significant role in the world of beach volleyball before the pairing. In fact, she won multiple major tournaments with two different partners, one of which is the volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years between 2007 and 2013. She also worked with Klineman as well as herself. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the 2009 World Championships. The duo won silver at London's Olympics. They were knocked out of the gold by the legendary group comprised of Misty May-Treanor as well as Kerri Walsh (Jennings). As fate would have it Ross was Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. In 2016, the pair were awarded bronze medals at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Ross played for the Trojans at USC during her college years after she graduated in high school. Ross's playing time with the Trojans was impressive. As a freshman in 2000 she fought her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA All-American Freshman of Year honors and earned an All-American. Also, she was an integral player for helping the Trojans reach their way to the Final Four. The Trojans suffered a significant personal defeat in her sophomore year yet was able to achieve the All-American award. Over the course of her final two seasons she led the Trojans up the mountain and clinched consecutive national championships. She had established herself as an all-time legend having won the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the nation's top female collegiate volleyball player. Ross studied the field of international relations in USC. Margie Ross was never able to see her daughter reach the top of beach volleyball. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001 when Ross was a USC sophomore. Her breast cancer had been diagnosed. This meant that Ross is still close to her deceased parent. Margie has been an inspiration in her life and on the beach.