April Ross

April Ross is one of the few female beach volleyball athletes to capture medals at more than one Olympics. Alix-Klineman will compete with April Ross in Tokyo to win her third gold medal in the next few days. But more than that, Ross will be aiming for her very first Olympic gold. As she turns 39, it could be her final chance to win an Olympic gold. Her confidence is high but she is not sure. Ross, via NBC Boston, said that if the team plays consistently or well it could be able to win gold. Also, it's a matter of chance. Ross was born in 1982 and lived within Costa Mesa California with her mother and sister, first began playing sports at Newport Harbor High school. Ross played in numerous sports during her time at Newport Harbor High School. As a prep-athlete, she also played indoor track and volleyball. However, she was a standout at this level. In her college volleyball season, according to her college bio, she was a middle-blocker, outside-hitter and setter. Gatorade Circle of Champions named her as the National Player of 1999. The year 2000 was the time she was awarded the Orange County Athlete of the of the year for volleyball. Ross and Klineman may have started working together at the beginning of 2017, but Ross was already an established player at the beach before they joined forces. In reality, she was a winner of numerous major events using two partners, among them an icon of volleyball. From 2007 until 2013, she was partnered with Jennifer Kessy, who is now her coach. Kessy as well as Ross proved to be an impressive force on the international circuit, winning the 2009 World Championship together. The duo would go on to win a silver in the 2012 Olympic Games at London. The legendary Misty Maytreanor team along with Kerri Jennings were the winners of gold. Ross Jennings was the replacement for May-Treanor as she retired. They went on to compete for the bronze beach volleyball trophy in the Rio Olympics 2016. They were joined by Walsh Jennings. Ross was a student athlete at USC Trojans prior to beginning the start of her professional career. She played during high school, as well as before hitting the beach professionally. The time she spent at the school was one to remember. As a freshman in 2000 she played her way to Pac-10 as well as NCAA The Freshman of the Year awards and earned an All-American. In addition, she helped her Trojans to reach the Final Four. Her sophomore year was the time she experienced a devastating personal setback, but she was able to repeat as an All-American. The two years following her, she took the Trojans to the top of the mountain and won consecutive national titles. In 2003-2004, Ross was named as the most successful female volleyball player on the collegiate scene in the US according to the Honda Sports Award. Ross studied International Relations at USC. Margie Ross, Ross' mother, did not have the opportunity to see her daughter become the beach volleyball's biggest star. Ross's mother Margie died in 2001, when Ross was still an USC sophomore. The cancer was diagnosed as breast. But, she will always hold her lost parent near and close. Also, Margie remains a source of motivation for her at the beach and in life.