April Ross

April Ross was one of the few female beach volleyball stars who won medals during more than one Olympics. Alix Klineman is a new Olympian and will join her in Tokyo. Ross will also be hoping for her first Olympic gold. At 39, this could be her last chance to win an Olympic gold. However, she is confident of achieving top honours. Ross was mentioned by NBC Boston as saying that if you play your highest, and even play well we will get the gold. "I'm planning to test some luck." Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa in 1982. She grew up in Costa Mesa with her mother, father and sister. She went on to compete in a myriad of sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. When she was a student in the prep school, she competed in the indoor game of volleyball, as well as basketball and track. She was clearly the best in the game of indoor volleyball. In her college profile, she was an outside hitter, middle blocker and setter during her volleyball career during high school. Her achievements were rewarded by her being named 1999 Gatorade's National Circle of Champions players of the year. In 2000, the Orange County Athlete of the Month was also received by her due to her volleyball skills. While Ross Klineman and Ross are a couple since 2017, the former was already a big-time participant on the beaches even before the pair formed. It's true that she has been able to win multiple events, and one was won by a legendary volleyball player. For six years from 2007 to 2013 she teamed with Jennifer Kessy who more recently played the role of Klineman's coach. Together with Kessy Ross was an ace on the international stage, claiming the world championship in 2009. The duo won silver at London's Olympic Games. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) as well as Misty Maytreanor clinched gold ahead of them. As fate would have it Ross was Walsh Jennings' new partner as May-Treanor stepped down. They both went on to take home the bronze beach volleyball trophy in the Rio Olympics in 2016 along with Walsh Jennings. Ross played for the USC Trojans in college after graduating from high school. She had a great run during her time in the college. In 2000 she was named Pac-10 Freshman as well as NCAA Freshman Of The Year and an All-American. In addition, she helped her Trojans get to the Final Four. During her sophomore year she experienced a devastating personal setback, but she was able to repeat as an All-American. During her final two seasons with the Trojans team they won victories by winning successive national titles. Ross was an excellent volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female college volleyball player. Ross played international relations as a major at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mother Margie never got to see Ross rise to the highest levels of beach volleyball superstardom. When Ross was in her sophomore year at USC her mother passed away due to breast cancer. This meant that Ross remains close to her parent who died. Margie remains a constant source of inspiration to her both at and off the beaches.