April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball athletes who earned medals in more than one Olympics. Alix klineman, who is competing for the first time at Tokyo's Olympic Games and will attempt to win her third gold medal. Ross also hopes to get her very first Olympic medal. And at the age of 39, this could be her last opportunity to accomplish this. But she's confident top awards are in reach. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that if the team plays well or at all they can earn a gold. "I'm also going to try a little luck." Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents and sister were residents there. Ross went on to play in numerous sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. While a prep student she played the indoor game of volleyball, as well as basketball and running track. She was definitely the best in the game of indoor volleyball. In her college profile, she played outside of the hitter, middle blocker, as well as a setter during her volleyball career during high school. In recognition of her accomplishments she was awarded the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. Also, she won the 1999 Orange County Athlete of the Year trophy for volleyball. Ross and Klineman began the partnership in 2017, however, Ross had been a beach-scene celebrity for a long time prior to. In actual, Ross has won several important tournaments throughout her career together with two other partners. One is a volleyball legend. The pair teamed together with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and also was Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy Ross, she was a major force on the international stage, claiming an international title in 2009. They won a Silver Medal at the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor clinched gold beating them to it. As fate would have it Ross turned out to be Walsh Jennings' new partner as May-Treanor stepped down. They took home the bronze medal in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Following high school, and for a few years before she hit the sand professionally, Ross was a ball with the Trojans of USC as an NCAA. Her time at the school was a memorable one. She was a All-American as well as Pac-10 Freshman of the Year when she was a teen freshman. Also, she was an integral player in helping the Trojans make it to the Final Four. After her sophomore year, she experienced a terrible personal tragedy, but was able to be named an All-American. Through her two final years of participation in the Trojans program, she guided the Trojans to winning a national title every year. She was a great player on the court, and was awarded the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female volleyball player at the college level. Ross was an international relations major at USC. Margie Ross never saw her daughter make it to the top of the beach volleyball ladder. Ross's mother died of cancer of the breast when she was in her sophomore year at USC. Ross is still awed by her parents who passed away. Also, Margie remains a source of inspiration to her on the beaches and throughout life.