April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball players who have won medals at several Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days, she'll be aiming to win her third gold medal alongside the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross wants to achieve more than her first Olympic medal. And at the age of 39 this may be her final chance to accomplish this. But she's confident top awards are within reach. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that when the team performs very well, or even at all, it could be able to win gold. "I'm trying to also try to have a bit of luck." Ross, who was born 1982 and lived in Costa Mesa California with her siblings and parents, started playing sports at Newport Harbor High school. Her athletic career continued at Newport Harbor High School where she was a part of a number of sports. As a prep-athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. But she clearly was an edge over the other players when it came to the second sport. As per her biography in high school, she was a volleyball player as an outside setter (middle blocker) as well as a setting (outside blocker). Thanks to her hard work she was awarded the 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her due to her volleyball skills. Ross and Klineman formed their relationship in 2017 However, Ross was a beach scene player for years prior to. The American has been a major winner in events twice, with various partners. The other is an iconic player in the world of volleyball. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to the year 2013. Kessy was Ross's teammate at the World Championships of 2009. This duo went into winning a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. They were beaten out for the gold by the legendary group comprising Misty and Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings took over for May-Treanor after she announced her retirement. In 2016, the pair were awarded bronze medals at the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. In high school and the several years prior to hitting the sand as a pro Ross balled out to the Trojans at USC while an NCAA. This was an impressive performance for Ross during her time at the school. In 2000, she was named Pac-10 Freshman as well as NCAA Freshman of the Year and an All-American. The Trojans could also reach the Final Four with her help. The second season of her career she suffered a devastating personal loss, yet managed to earn the honor of being named an All-American. The two years following her she led the Trojans to the top of the mountain and won consecutive national titles. As an individual, she cemented her place as a legend by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. This prize was awarded to the best female college volleyball players across the country. Ross was a major in International Relations at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, was never given the chance to watch her daughter grow into an international beach volleyball star. Ross's mother passed away from breast carcinoma in the year 2001. Ross had just become a second-year student at USC. She still holds her mother dear. And Margie continues to be an inspiration to her on the beach and in life.