April Ross

April Ross was one of just a handful of women beach volleyball stars who won medals in several Olympics. Alix Klineman is the newest Olympian and will join her at Tokyo. Ross also hopes to get her first Olympic gold. At 39 this may be her last opportunity to accomplish this. Her optimism is that she'll be successful in achieving top honours. Ross told NBC Boston that if they are at their absolute best and even play well, she believes the team will be able to win the gold medal. Also, it's a matter of chance. Ross was born in Costa Mesa, California in 1982. Her parents and her sister lived in the area. In Newport Harbor High School, she played in a variety of activities. When she was a student in the prep school she played basketball, indoor volleyball and track. In her final game she stood out. During her high school career she played middle blocker outside setter and hitter on the volleyball court per her bio at the college. Gatorade Circle Of Champions named her as the National Player 1999. 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 in the year 2017. However, Ross was a major player in the beach volleyball scene before the pairing. Actually, Ross has won several major tournaments in her career along with her two teammates. One of them is a legend. The pair teamed together with Jennifer Kessy from 2007-2013, and also was Klineman's coach. Alongside Kessy Ross was a force on the international circuit winning a world title in 2009. They took home a Silver medal during the 2012 Olympic Games held in London. Misty May, Kerri Walsh and Kerri Jennings were the trio that could take home the gold. Ross was Walsh Jennings new partner after May-Treanor's departure. They went on to compete for the bronze beach volleyball trophy at the Rio Olympics 2016. They were joined by Walsh Jennings. Ross participated in the USC Trojans in the college years following her graduation from in high school. Ross's playing time with the Trojans was amazing. The year 2000 was her freshman year. saw her earn the Pac-10 as well as NCAA Freshman of the award and become an All-American. The Trojans were also able to make it to the Final Four. The Trojans were devastated by a tragic incident in her sophomore year. However, she managed to become an All-American again. Over her final two years in the program she led the Trojans towards the summit of the mountain winning three consecutive championships at the national level. As an individual, she established herself as an all-time great winning the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the most outstanding female college volleyball player. Ross studied at USC in International Relations. Margie Ross wasn't able to watch her daughter's climb to beach volleyball fame. As of 2001, when Ross was a sophomore in USC her mother passed away due to breast cancer. As a result, Ross is still near to her mother who passed away. Margie has been an inspiration throughout her life, as well as on the beach.