April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball players who have won medals in several Olympics. In Tokyo in the coming days she will attempt to win her third gold medal alongside the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross also hopes to get her first Olympic medal. As she turns 39, it could be her last chance to win the gold medal at an Olympics. However, she's convinced that top prizes are in reach. Ross was mentioned by NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very top, even if you play well we will get the gold. In addition, I'm planning be relying on a little bit of good luck. Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa in 1982. Her family lived in the area along with her parents and sibling. While at Newport Harbor High School, she was a participant in many sports. She was a basketball player and also ran the track as well as her indoor volleyball achievements as a pre-collegiate athlete. But she clearly was a cut above the rest in the latter sport. When she played in her high school volleyball career as per her college bio, she was a middle-blocker, outside-hitter and setter. Thanks to her hard work, she was honored as the 1999 Gatorade Champion of Champions Circle of Champions Player of the Year. Her skills in volleyball won her an Orange County Athlete of the Year award in 2000. Ross and Klineman might have begun working together at the beginning of 2017, but Ross had already been a seasoned volleyball player before they joined forces. The American has been a major winner in tournaments twice with different partners. One of them has become an icon of the volleyball world. She teamed up along with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and she also served as Klineman's personal trainer. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the World Championships of 2009. The duo eventually captured a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor took home gold beating them to it. It was fate that had them. Ross turned out to be Walsh Jennings' new partner after May-Treanor's retirement. They were able to win the beach volleyball bronze during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Following high school, and for a few years before she hit the beach as a professional Ross balled out to the Trojans at USC while a collegiate. Ross's Trojans experience was amazing. In 2000 she was named Pac-10 Freshman as well as NCAA Freshman Of The Year, and was also an All-American. Also, she was a key player for helping the Trojans make their way to the Final Four. During her sophomore year she suffered a tremendous personal setback but managed to make it back as an All-American. In her last two years she led the Trojans up to the summit and won consecutive national titles. The individual accomplishments of her have established her status as a legend in volleyball. She was awarded the Honda Sports Award 2003-04 for the best female college player. Ross was an USC international relations major, was a star in volleyball. Margie Ross did not see her daughter reach the top of beach volleyball. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001. Ross was in the midst of being a USC sophomore. The cancer was diagnosed as breast. Her mother is still dear. Margie remains a source of inspiration, both off and on of the beach.