April Ross

April Ross is one of just a handful of female beach volleyball athletes to capture medals at many Olympics. Alix Klineman is the newest Olympian who will be joining her at Tokyo. Ross is determined to earn more than her first Olympic medal. As she turns 39, it could be her last chance to win an Olympic gold. The athlete is optimistic she will be able to win top awards. Ross on NBC Boston, said that If the team is performing well or at all they could win a gold. "I'm planning to test some luck." Ross was a Californian born in Costa Mesa in 1982. She lived here along with her parents and younger sister. At Newport Harbor High School, she competed in numerous sports. In her time as a college athlete she was also a participant in indoor track and volleyball. She clearly was the top at the sport of indoor volleyball. Based on her biography, she was an outside blocker as well as a middle hitter on the volleyball court during her senior year at high school. To honor her achievements she was awarded the Gatorade Award for National Player in 1999. The 2000 Orange County Athlete of the Month award was also won by her due to her volleyball skills. Ross and Klineman are performing their roles in the year 2017. However, Ross played a significant role in the world of beach volleyball before the pairing. The fact is, she's been a winner of numerous major tournaments and one partner was a renowned volleyball player. Between 2007 and 2013 she played by Jennifer Kessy, who is currently her coach. Ross, Kessy's fellow teammate who was the winner of the world championship with Kessy in 2009 was also significant on the world stage. The duo were awarded silver medals at the London Olympics. Misty Maytreanor (Jennings) and Misty Maytreanor clinched gold ahead of them. Ross Jennings replaced May-Treanor when she retired. The duo went on to earn bronze in beach volleyball during the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ross was a college athlete for USC Trojans before starting her professional career. She played in high school and in before hitting the beach professionally. Ross's Trojans experience was amazing. She was an All-American and Pac-10 Freshman of Year in 2000 as a young freshman. Her performance also assisted in helping the Trojans get to into the Final Four. The second season of her career she was devastated by a personal tragedy, but earned the distinction of being an All-American. Over the course of her final two seasons with the Trojans they helped achieve consecutive championships. Ross was an excellent volleyball player, winning the Honda Sports Award in 2003-04 as the top female volleyball player in the NCAA. Ross played international relations as a major at USC. Unfortunately, Ross mom Margie was not able to witness Ross's daughter reach the very top of beach volleyball stardom. In 2001 when Ross was in her sophomore year at USC her mother died of breast cancer. This meant that Ross is still close to her deceased parent. Margie, on the beach as well as in her everyday life, is still a source of inspiration for her.