April Ross

April Ross, a beach volleyball star American is part of a select group of women who have won medals in more than one Olympics. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian and is set to join her at Tokyo. Ross's aim is to get her first Olympic Gold. At 39 she could have her last shot. She's certain that the top prizes are in reach. Ross said on NBC Boston: "If we do our best and even if we just play well, I think we could be able to win gold." "I'm also going to try a little luck." Ross was born in California in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. She lived here with her mother, father and sibling. The athletic pursuits she pursued continued at Newport Harbor High School where she was a part of a number of different sports. Her prep athletic career included indoor volleyball as well as basketball as well as running and track. Though she excelled in indoor volleyball but it was apparent that her skills were above average. Through her high school years, she was a middle blocker outside hitter and setter in the court for volleyball as per her college bio. In recognition of her accomplishments, she received the Gatorade Award for National Player 1999. The skills she showed in volleyball also won her the Orange County Athlete of the Year award in the year 2000. Ross and Klineman formed the partnership in 2017, however, Ross was a beach scene celebrity for a long time prior to. She has been able to win multiple events, and one was won by an iconic volleyball player. Jennifer Kessy was her partner during six years from 2007 to the year 2013. Also, she coached Klineman and herself. Together, Kessy Ross was a force in the world circuit, winning an international title in 2009. The duo eventually captured a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Misty Maytreanor's legendary team as well as Kerri Jennings won the gold. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor when she announced her retirement. They went on to earn bronze in beach volleyball at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross started her college career with the USC Trojans following her high school days. The Trojans were a few years away from when Ross made her debut on the sand and turned professional. Her time at USC was impressive. In her first year at the school, 2000 saw her earn the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman's of Year awards and be an All-American. Additionally, she was an integral player to help the Trojans reach it to the Final Four. Her personal life was tense after a devastating loss in her sophomore, yet was successful in achieving the All-American title. During her final two seasons in the Trojans in the program they won success by winning two the national title in consecutive years. As an individual, she cemented her place in the history books by winning the Honda Sports Award for 2003-04. The award is given to the most outstanding female volleyball players at colleges across the country. Ross studied at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the chance to watch her daughter become the beach volleyball's biggest star. Ross lost the breast cancer that she battled in 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. As a result, Ross remains close to her deceased parent. And Margie remains a source of motivation for her at the beach as well as in everyday her daily life.