April Ross

April Ross is one of just a handful of female beach volleyball players who have won medals in multiple Olympics. Alix-Klineman will compete with April Ross in Tokyo for her third gold medal over the coming days. But more than that, Ross is aiming to capture the first Olympic gold. This may be the last opportunity she gets at age 39. She remains optimistic that she can achieve top honors. Ross stated via NBC Boston: "If we do our best and even if we just play well I believe we can get the gold medal." "I'm planning to test a little luck." Ross is born in the year 1982. Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents as well as a sister. In addition to competing in various sports, Ross also attended Newport Harbor High School. When she was a student in the prep school she was a participant in basketball, indoor volleyball as well as running track. But she clearly was an edge over the other players in this latter game. In her own biography in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside hitter (middle blocker) and the setter (outside blocker). Gatorade Circle of Champions named her the National Player in 1999. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her for volleyball. Even though Ross and Klineman are a couple since 2017, the former was already an established player on the beach scene even before the pair formed. In fact, she's had the chance to win numerous events, one of which was with the legendary player of volleyball. Jennifer Kessy was her partner for six years, from 2007 until the year 2013. Also, she coached Klineman and herself. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be a formidable force in the international circuit, winning the world championship in 2009 together. At the 2012 Olympic Games, they received a gold medal. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the group to beat out for gold. Ross was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's departure. Together, they took home bronze medals in beach volleyball for the Rio Olympics of 2016. Ross was a college athlete with the Trojans of USC prior to her pro career. She was a player in high school and in some years before she hit the beach as a professional. She had a great run in college. When she was a freshman in 2000 Her performance was rewarded with the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman-of-the-Year honors. Additionally, she was a key player to help the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. The Trojans suffered a significant personal loss during her sophomore year, yet was able to achieve the All-American distinction. Over her final 2 years in the Trojans program, she coached them to a national title every time. In 2003-2004, Ross was named the top collegiate female volleyball player in the United States by The Honda Sports Award. Ross was who was a USC international relations major, was a renowned volleyball player. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the chance to watch her daughter grow into a beach volleyball superstar. Ross's mother died of cancer of the breast in the year 2001. Ross had just become sophomore at USC. Ross is still awed by her parents who passed away. Margie at the beach as well as in her everyday life, continues to inspire her.