April Ross

April Ross, a beach volleyball star from the United States, is among a select group of women who have been awarded medals at multiple Olympics. Alix klineman, who is taking part for the very first time in Tokyo's Olympics, will try to earn her third Olympic medal. More than that though Ross hopes to win her first Olympic gold. At 39, this could be her last chance to take home the gold medal at an Olympics. Nevertheless, she remains certain of taking top honors. Ross was mentioned on NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very best, even if you do well, we'll get the gold. It's also going to be an issue of luck. Ross was born in the city of Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents and sister resided there. The athletic pursuits she pursued continued at Newport Harbor High School where she played in a variety of different sports. As a pre-schooler she played indoor volleyball along with basketball and track. She was clearly the best in the game of indoor volleyball. In her time at the high school level in her university biography she played as an outside-hitter, middle-blocker and setter. The results of her efforts were acknowledged when she was named 1999 Gatorade's Circle of Champions National players of the year. In addition, she was awarded the 1999 Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Even though Ross and Klineman are in the spotlight since 2017, the former was already a big-time player on the beach scene long before their pairing. She has won numerous events, one of which was with an iconic volleyball player. From 2007 to 2013 she teamed alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy, Ross won an Olympic Title in 2009 while competing on the international circuit. This duo went on to win a silver at the 2012 Olympic Games at London. They were beaten out for the gold by the legendary duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings was the replacement for May-Treanor as she announced her retirement. The duo went on to earn the beach volleyball bronze in the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross was a player for the USC Trojans in the college years following her graduation from the high school she attended. Her career was a success through the college. In 2000 she was voted Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and NCAA Freshman Of The Year. She was also named an All-American. Her performance also assisted in helping the Trojans reach their first Final Four. The Trojans suffered a heartbreaking personal loss in her sophomore year and yet she went on to repeat her place as an All-American. In her last two seasons in the program she led the Trojans to the top of the mountain netting consecutive national championships. In 2003-2004, she was named the best collegiate female volleyball player in the US by the Honda Sports Award. Ross was an USC international relations student was a volleyball star. Unfortunately Ross mom Margie did not get to see Ross's daughter reach the highest levels of beach volleyball fame. Ross's mother died of breast cancer when she was a sophomore in USC. She is devoted to her parents who passed away. In addition, Margie continues to be an inspiration to her on the beach and in her daily life.