April Ross

April Ross is one of only a few female beach volleyball players who have won medals in multiple Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days, she'll try to claim her third Olympic medal alongside the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. In addition, Ross is aiming to capture the first Olympic gold. Since she's 39 years old, it may be her final chance. However, she is confident of achieving top honours. If we perform at our very top or play well I feel like we'll be able to win that gold medal Ross said via NBC Boston. Also, I'll take the chance to have chances. Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. Her parents as well as her sister lived there. The athletic pursuits she pursued began at Newport Harbor High School where she was a part of a number of activities. Her prep athletic career included indoor volleyball, as well as basketball as well as running and track. While she did well in indoor volleyball however, it was evident that her abilities were higher than the average. Through her high school years, she played middle blocker outside setter and hitter on the volleyball court per her bio at the college. To honor her achievements, she received the Gatorade Award for the National Player of 1999. Also, in 2000 she was named Orange County Athlete of the Year for volleyball. Ross is playing alongside Klineman since the year 2017, but Ross's beach game had been established long before this. The American has been a major winner in tournaments twice with different partners. A couple of those is an icon of the volleyball world. For six years from 2007 to 2013 she teamed with Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy Ross was a force in the world circuit, winning the world championship in 2009. They won a Silver Medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the trio to beat for the gold. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor after she had retired. Together, they took home beach volleyball bronze for the Rio Olympics in the year 2016. Ross participated in the USC Trojans in the college years following her graduation from the high school she attended. Her time at the school was an impressive one. In 2000 she was voted Pac-10 Freshman and NCAA Freshman of the Year. She was also named an All-American. The Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four with her help. After her sophomore year, she experienced a terrible personal loss and still managed to earn the honor of being named an All-American. In her last two years in the Trojans program, she coached them to a national title every time. She had established herself as an all-time legend by winning the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the nation's top female collegiate volleyball player. Ross studied at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross was never able to see her daughter's climb to fame as a beach volleyball player. Margie, Ross's mother, passed away in 2001 when Ross was still a USC sophomore. She had breast cancer. She continues to cherish her late parent. Margie has inspired her both in her personal life and at the beach.