April Ross

April Ross is only one of the beach volleyball players who have earned medals at least twice in an Olympics. She is set to compete in Tokyo for her 3rd Olympic medal alongside Alix Klineman who is a first-time Olympian. Ross is also hoping to win her first Olympic gold. At 39, this could be her last opportunity to claim an Olympic gold. The athlete is optimistic she'll be successful in achieving top honours. Ross was mentioned by NBC Boston as saying that if you play your top, even if you play well we will get the gold. Therefore, I'm hoping to have the chance as well. Ross was born on the 22nd of October, 1982. She was raised in Costa Mesa California where she lived with her parents and sister. Along with playing in numerous sport, she also attended Newport Harbor High School. Along with the indoor game, she also ran track and basketball as a pre-collegiate athlete. When she played in the final sport she was clearly the standout. During her high school career she played middle blocker, outside hitter and setter on the volleyball court, according to her bio at the college. Gatorade Circle of Champions named her the national Player in 1999. She also received an Orange County Athlete of the year award for volleyball. Ross has been playing alongside Klineman since the year 2017 but her beach game was established well before that. She has won major events twice, with various partners. The other is an icon of the world of volleyball. Jennifer Kessy coached her from 2007 to 2013. Alongside Kessy Ross was an ace on the international stage, claiming the world championship in 2009. They went into winning a silver at the 2012 Olympic Games at London. Misty May Treanor and Kerri Jennings the legendary team that took home the Olympic gold medal in 2012 in London, beat their opponents to claim the gold medal. As fate would have it Ross was Walsh Jennings' new partner as May-Treanor stepped down. In 2016, the duo won bronze in the Rio Olympics for beach volleyball. Following high school, and for a few several years prior to hitting the sand professionally, Ross balled out with the Trojans of USC as an NCAA. Her time at USC was quite impressive. In her first year at the school, 2000 saw her earn the Pac-10 and NCAA Freshman's of award and become an All-American. Her performance also assisted in helping the Trojans to make it to the Final Four. She endured a great personal defeat in her sophomore year however, she was able to achieve the All-American distinction. In the two years she played for the Trojans she was instrumental in helping them achieve consecutive championships. As an individual, she established herself as an all-time legend winning the 2003-04 Honda Sports Award as the nation's top female collegiate volleyball player. Ross studied international relations at USC. Margie Ross did not get to witness her daughter's rise to fame as a beach volleyball player. Ross suffered the loss of her mom to cancer of the breast in 2001. Ross was then a sophomore. She has kept her parents close to her the heart. Margie has always been a source of inspiration to her in and out of the water.