April Ross

April Ross is one of only a few female beach volleyball players who have won medals in more than one Olympics. In Tokyo during the next few days, she'll be aiming to claim her third Olympic medal along with the first-time Olympian Alix Klineman. Ross will also be hoping for her first Olympic medal. It could be the last opportunity she gets at age 39. Her optimism is that she'll be successful in achieving top honours. Ross was quoted on NBC Boston as saying that when you perform at your very best, even if you do well, we'll get the gold. Therefore, I'm hoping to have the chance also. Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in the year 1982. Her parents and sister lived there. Along with participating in a variety of sports, Ross was also a student at Newport Harbor High School. She competed in basketball and track, in addition to her indoor volleyball exploits as a pre-collegiate athlete. But she stood out during this game. When she played in her high school volleyball career, according to her college biography she played as an outside-hitter, middle blocker and setter. Her efforts were recognized in 1999 when she was named Gatorade's Circle of Champions National players of the year. In addition, she was awarded the award in 2000. Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross and Klineman formed the partnership in 2017, however, Ross had been a beach-scene star for years before. In fact, she's been able to win multiple events, one of which was with a legendary volleyball player. Between 2007 and 2013, she was partnered by Jennifer Kessy, who is now her coach. Ross, Kessy's fellow teammate who took home the title of world champion with Kessy in 2009 was also an important player on the an international level. They won a Silver Medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. They were knocked out of the gold by the legendary team of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh (Jennings). Ross Jennings became Walsh Jennings partner in fate after Maytreanor's retirement. They both went on to take home the bronze beach volleyball trophy at the Rio Olympics in 2016 along with Walsh Jennings. Ross played for the Trojans of USC during her college days, prior to becoming a professional. Her time at USC was quite impressive. In 2000, she was voted Pac-10 Freshman as well as NCAA Freshman of the Year, and was also an All-American. Additionally, she was an integral player in helping the Trojans to make it to it to the Final Four. She suffered a devastating personal loss in her sophomore season however she was able to return her place as an All-American. Through her last two years in the program she led the Trojans to the top of the mountain by winning two three consecutive championships at the national level. Ross was an excellent volleyball player and won the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female volleyball player at the college level. Ross studied at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, never had the privilege of watching her daughter become a beach volleyball superstar. Ross's mother passed away from cancer of the breast in the year 2001. Ross had just become sophomore at USC. Ross is still awed by her late parent. Margie, on the beach as well as in everyday life, continues to inspire her.