April Ross

April Ross is only one of the beach volleyball players to have won medals multiple times at an Olympics. In Tokyo over the next several days she will attempt to net her third medal with fellow first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross's dream is to earn her first Olympic gold medal. It may well be that it is her last chance, at 39 years old. Still confident nevertheless. Ross was reported on NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very highest, and even play well we will get the gold. Then I will also take the chance to have luck. Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. She lived here along with her parents and sister. Along with playing in numerous sports, Ross was also a student at Newport Harbor High School. Being a pre-athlete she played indoor volleyball and track. However, she was a standout in this sport. In her college profile, she was an outside-hitting hitter middle blocker, as well as a setter in her volleyball playing career at high school. She was awarded by the Gatorade National Circle of Champions player of the year in 1999, for her performance. The 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her due to her volleyball skills. Although Ross and Klineman have been doing their thing from 2017 onward, the former had already been a major athlete on the beach long before their pairing. It's true that she's had numerous big wins and one partner was a renowned volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 until 2013. Kessy was Ross's partner on the World Championships in 2009. In 2012, the pair were awarded silver medals at the London Olympic Games. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings, the legend team that won the 2012 Olympic Games in London, beat their opponents to claim the gold. Ross Jennings was Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. They won the bronze medal in beach volleyball during the Rio Olympics 2016. Ross began her college time with the Trojans at USC in high school. This was years before Ross went to the sand and turned professional. Ross's time in the Trojans was remarkable. In 2000, as a freshman she earned Pac-10 and NCAA All-American Freshman of Year awards and was an All-American. She also helped her Trojans to reach the Final Four. She endured a great personal loss during her sophomore year, but was still able to achieve the All-American distinction. Over the course of her two final years with the Trojans they helped achieve consecutive championships. She had established herself as an all-time legend by winning the 2003-2004 Honda Sports Award as the most outstanding female college volleyball player. Ross studied International Relations at USC. Margie Ross did not get to see her daughter's climb to beach volleyball fame. Ross suffered the loss of her mother to breast cancer in the year 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. As a result, Ross is still close to her parent who died. Margie remains a constant source of inspiration to her, both in and out of the water.