April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball stars who won medals at more than one Olympics. In Tokyo during the next few days, she'll be aiming to net her third medal with fellow first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross hopes to win her Olympic first gold medal, however, she also hopes to earn more. As she turns 39, it could be her last opportunity to claim the Olympic gold. She remains optimistic that she will be able to win top awards. If we do our highest or do well, I believe we'll win the gold medal Ross declared on NBC Boston. "I'm trying to also try a little luck." Ross was born in 1982 in Costa Mesa California where she resided with her parents and sister. Apart from playing in numerous sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. Being a pre-athlete, she also played indoor track and volleyball. She clearly was the top at the sport of indoor volleyball. As a high school volleyball career in her university profile, she played as a middle-blocker, outside-hitter and setter. Thanks to her hard work, she was honored as in 1999 as the Gatorade Champion of Champions Circle of Champions Player of the Year. The 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her for volleyball. Ross Klineman and Ross may have begun working together in 2017, but Ross had already been a seasoned player at the beach before they teamed up. In fact, she's won numerous events, one of which was with a legendary volleyball player. She teamed up with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and was also Klineman's personal trainer. Kessy and Ross were strong on the international arena, taking home a 2009 world title together. They eventually won an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They were knocked out of the gold by the legendary group comprised of Misty May-Treanor as well as Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross became Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's departure. Together, they won bronze medals in beach volleyball for the Rio Olympics in the year 2016. Ross began her college career with the USC Trojans following her high school days. The Trojans were a few years away from when Ross hit the beach, and then became a professional. Ross's Trojans experience was remarkable. As a freshman in 2000 she fought her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA The Freshman of the Year honors and earned an All-American. She also helped her Trojans to make it to the Final Four. She endured a great personal loss in her sophomore, but was still capable of achieving the All-American title. In her last two seasons with the Trojans team they won victories by winning successive national titles. She was a fantastic player on the court, and was awarded the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female college volleyball player. Ross was a student at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, was never given the opportunity to see her daughter grow into the beach volleyball's biggest star. Ross's mom died from breast carcinoma in the year 2001. Ross had just become a second-year student at USC. She continues to remember her deceased parent close and close. Margie is a constant source of inspiration to her at and off the beaches.