April Ross

April Ross was one of only a few women beach volleyball players who have won medals during more than one Olympics. She will be competing in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal with Alix Klineman, who is a first-time Olympian. Ross is determined to earn more than her initial Olympic medal. In fact, at 39, this could be her last opportunity to do so. She remains optimistic that she will be able to win top awards. Ross told NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best or even a good game her team can win a gold medal. Then I will also take the opportunity to try my chance. Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. She lived here with her father, mother and sibling. Ross played in numerous activities while at Newport Harbor High School. She was a basketball player and also ran track, in addition to her indoor volleyball exploits as a prep athlete. She was definitely the best in the game of indoor volleyball. Based on her bio, she played an outside blocker as well as a middle volleyball player during her high-school career. Gatorade Circle of Champions named her the National Player 1999. In 2000, she was recognized as the Orange County Athlete of the year for volleyball. Even though Ross and Klineman are a couple since 2017, the former was already an established participant on the beaches long before their pairing. It's true that she has had the chance to win numerous tournaments, including one with an iconic volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 through 2013. Kessy was Ross's partner on the World Championships in 2009. They took home a Silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings, the team of legends that won the 2012 Olympic Games in London, beat them out to win the gold medal. Ross Jennings was May-Treanor's replacement as she left the team. The team won bronze in beach volleyball at Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross started her college time with the Trojans at USC after her high school days. This was years before Ross made her debut on the sand and turned professional. Ross's playing time with the Trojans was impressive. When she was a freshman in 2000 the Trojans' performance earned her the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Young Player of the Year awards. Additionally, she assisted her Trojans get to the Final Four. She endured a great personal loss during her sophomore year, however, she was successful in achieving the All-American award. Over her final two years in the program she led the Trojans towards the summit winning successive national titles. She was a great volleyball player, winning the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the best female volleyball player at the college level. Ross had been an international studies student at USC. Unfortunately Ross mother Margie was not able to witness her daughter ascend to the very top of beach volleyball fame. As of 2001, when Ross was a sophomore studying at USC her mother died of breast cancer. She still holds her mother dear. Margie, on the beach as well as in her everyday life, inspires her.