April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball stars who won medals in more than one Olympics. Alix Klineman has become a brand new Olympian and will join her in Tokyo. Ross's dream is to earn her first Olympic gold medal. At 39 this may be her final chance to accomplish this. The athlete is optimistic she'll be successful in achieving top honours. If we play our highest or play well I feel like we'll win the gold medal Ross said via NBC Boston. Also, I am going be relying on a little bit of luck. Ross was born in 1982, and grew up within Costa Mesa California with her siblings and parents, started participating in the sports of Newport Harbor High School. She was able to participate in many activities during her time at Newport Harbor High School. Along with playing indoor volleyball, she also ran track and basketball in her pre-college days. She clearly was the top player in indoor volleyball. The college bio says that she played outside of the hitter middle blocker and setter in her volleyball playing career during high school. As a tribute to her efforts she was awarded the Gatorade Award for the National Player of 1999. She also captured the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the Year trophy for volleyball. Ross is currently working with Klineman from 2017. However, Ross's beach game had been established long before the year. As a matter of fact Ross has been a winner of several important tournaments throughout her career with two partners. One of them is a volleyball legend. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to 2013. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be a formidable force in the international circuit, winning a 2009 world title with each other. The pair eventually picked up a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor took home gold overtaking them. It was fate that had them. Ross was Walsh Jennings' new partner when May-Treanor retired. They won the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics 2016. In high school and the several years prior to hitting the sand as a pro Ross was a ball to the Trojans at USC while an NCAA. The Trojans had a great run for Ross at the school. She was an All-American as well as Pac-10 freshman of the year when she was a teen freshman. In 2000, her Trojans also reached the Final Four. She was devastated by a tragic incident in her sophomore years, yet she was able to make it an All-American in her second year. The last two years with the Trojans' program, she led them to success by winning two consecutive national championships. Ross was an excellent volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female volleyball player in the NCAA. Ross studied International Relations at USC. Margie Ross did not see her daughter make it to the top of beach volleyball. Ross's mother Margie died in 2001 when Ross was still in the midst of being a USC sophomore. Her breast cancer had been diagnosed. Ross holds her mother dear. Also, Margie remains a source of encouragement for her on the beach as well as in everyday her daily life.