April Ross

April Ross is one of just a handful of female beach volleyball stars to have medals won at more than one Olympics. The American will play in Tokyo for her third Olympic medal with Alix Klineman who is a first time Olympian. But more than that, Ross hopes to win their first Olympic gold. This may be the last opportunity for her to do so at the age of 39. However, she's confident that the top awards are at hand. Ross from NBC Boston, said that He was certain that we can get a gold medal by playing our best. This is why I'm going to try the chance also. Ross Born in 1982 and was raised within Costa Mesa California with her sisters and parents, was the first to begin taking part in athletics at Newport Harbor High School. When she was at Newport Harbor High School, she participated in various athletics. Along with the indoor game, she played basketball and ran track while professional athletes. In her final game she was clearly the standout. In her college volleyball years, according to her college biography she played as an outside blocker, middle blocker setter and hitter. Thanks to her hard work she was awarded in 1999 as the Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player of the Year. The skills she showed in volleyball also earned her the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in 2000. Ross and Klineman have been continuing to play as of 2017. In reality, Ross was already an established player in the scene of beach volleyball before Klineman and Ross joined forces. There is no doubt that she has played a significant role in the world of beach volleyball for a long time. Ross actually took home several titles, and even one that was won by a famous volleyball star. Between 2007-2013 she played alongside Jennifer Kessy who more recently was Klineman's coach. Alongside Kessy Ross was an ace on the international stage, claiming the world championship in 2009. They eventually won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor's legendary team along with Kerri Jennings claimed the gold. As fate would have it Ross got Walsh Jennings' new partner as May-Treanor stepped down. In 2016, the duo won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Following high school, and for a few several years prior to hitting the sand as a pro Ross was a ball with the Trojans of USC as an collegiate. Ross's time in the Trojans was stellar. It was her time to be an All-American and Pac-10 freshman of the year in 2000. Furthermore, she assisted her Trojans get to the Final Four. She suffered a devastating personal loss in her sophomore season, but she still repeated her place as an All-American. In her two final years playing for the Trojans they helped win consecutive championships. As an individual Ross established her status in the history books by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. The award went to the best female collegiate athlete in the nation. Ross took a course in international relations at USC. Sadly, Ross mother Margie didn't get to watch her daughter rise to the most elite levels of beach volleyball stardom. Ross suffered the loss of her mom to cancer of the breast in 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. Her mother is still in her arms. Also, Margie remains a source of motivation for her at the beach and in her daily life.