April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball stars who won medals at several Olympics. Alix Klineman, taking part for the very first time in Tokyo's Olympics, will try to earn her third gold medal. Ross's dream is to earn her first Olympic Gold. It could be the last chance she'll ever have as she is 39 years old. Her confidence is high, however. Ross told NBC Boston that if they play their best, and even play well her team will be able to win the gold medal. In addition, I'm planning be relying on a little bit of good luck. Ross is born in the year 1982. Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents and sister. Ross played in numerous sports while attending Newport Harbor High School. When she was a student in the prep school she was a participant in basketball, indoor volleyball and running track. She was clearly the best player in indoor volleyball. Based on her bio, she played a middle blocker and an outside hitter on the volleyball court during her senior year at high school. In recognition of her work she was awarded the 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. The year 2000 was the time she was awarded her the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in volleyball. Ross and Klineman began the partnership in 2017, but Ross had been a beach-scene celebrity for a long time prior to. In fact, she's won numerous tournaments, including one with the legendary player of volleyball. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to 2013. Alongside Kessy Ross was a force in the world circuit, winning the world championship in 2009. The duo took silver in London's Olympics. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor clinched gold overtaking them. Ross Jennings was May-Treanor's replacement after she had retired. They went on to compete for the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016. They were joined by Walsh Jennings. Ross was a student athlete for USC Trojans before starting her professional career. She played during high school, and even before hitting the beach professionally. She had a great run through the college. When she was a freshman at the school in 2000 she played her way to Pac-10 and NCAA The Freshman of the Year awards and was an All-American. Her performance also assisted in helping the Trojans to make it to their first Final Four. She endured a great personal loss during her sophomore year, however, she was capable of achieving the All-American distinction. Over the course of her final two seasons she led the Trojans to the top of the mountain and took home consecutive national championships. In her own way, she cemented her place in the history books by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This award was given to the most outstanding female college volleyball players across the United States. Ross studied the study of international relations in USC. Margie Ross didn't get to see Ross reach beach volleyball's highest stage. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001. Ross was in the midst of being a USC sophomore. Her breast cancer had been diagnosed. But, she will always keep her mother's memory close and dear. Margie is an inspiration both on and off of the beach.