April Ross

April Ross has won more than one medal at the Olympics. She is one of the few female beach volleyball players that have done so. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian who will be joining her in Tokyo. Ross hopes to win more than her first Olympic medal. With her age of 39, this may be her last chance to win the Olympic gold. Still confident, however. Ross told NBC Boston that if they play their best, or play a great game her team could win a gold medal. "I'm trying to also try a little luck." Ross was born in California, Costa Mesa in 1982. Her parents and her sister lived in the area. Along with competing in various sports, Ross also attended Newport Harbor High School. In her time as a college athlete she played indoor track and volleyball. But she clearly was superior to the rest in this latter game. Through her high school years, she played middle blocker, outside hitter and setter in the court for volleyball as per her bio at the college. She was named by the Gatorade National Circle of Champions player of the Year in 1999 for her achievements. The skills she showed in volleyball also earned her an Orange County Athlete of the Awards in the year 2000. Ross and Klineman might be working on a project at the beginning of 2017, but Ross had already been a seasoned athlete at the beach prior to when they came together. The American has been a major winner in tournaments twice with different partners. The other is an icon in the world of volleyball. From 2007 until 2013, she was a team alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently was Klineman's coach. Kessy and Ross were strong on the international arena, taking home the 2009 World Championship together. The duo would go through to take home a silver medal in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor won gold, beating them to it. Ross was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They won bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Following high school, and for a few years before she hit the sand professionally, Ross balled out for the USC Trojans as a collegiate. Her experience at USC was awe-inspiring. She was an All-American as well as Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2000 as a young freshman. Also, she was an integral player in helping the Trojans reach the Final Four. Her heart was broken through a tragedy in her life during her sophomore years, yet she managed to become an All-American again. Through her final two seasons with the Trojans, she helped them win consecutive championships. Her individual achievements have cemented her status as a legend in volleyball. Ross was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the top female NCAA player. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, never had the opportunity to see her daughter grow into an international beach volleyball star. As of 2001, when Ross was a sophomore in USC her mother died of breast cancer. She continues to cherish her parents who passed away. And Margie continues to be an inspiration to her on the beach as well as in everyday life.